Rebel threat to EFL chief over Sky deal

REBEL clubs angry at the Football League’s decision to sign a new £595million five-year deal with Sky Sports are planning an attempt to oust EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey.

Sportsmail understands the deal has left many clubs unhappy, mainly from the Championship but also some in Leagues One and Two. Rebels meet at Villa Park this morning to discuss their options after the EFL board signed the deal yesterday. Many think the deal offers a decrease in revenue, rather than the 35 per cent increase claimed by the board, given how many games will be available as midweek ‘red button’ matches. As many as 15 Championship clubs had threatened a breakaway. They feel the deal undervalues the league and does not consider how many times clubs are on TV. But with no better offers on the table, the EFL directors, including three from the Championship, voted unanimously for Sky’s terms. At a board meeting yesterday the directors said the offer provides financial security to all 72 clubs. Debbie Jevans, interim chaiman of the EFL, insisted it was in the ‘best interests’ of everyone. However, the malcontents — led by Leeds United, Aston Villa and Derby County — may now try to mount a legal challenge claiming the EFL acted unconstitutionally. The rebellion has grown in the past two weeks as the deadline to sign loomed. A sub-group was tasked with seeking alternative offers but when none materialised it is understood they urged the board to try for a one-year agreement. Instead, the board agreed to give Sky the rights to 138 EFL matches, the play-offs and finals, 15 Carabao Cup games — including the final — and the Checkatrade Trophy semi-final and final.