Masters says bailout offer is not ‘pitiful’

PREMIER League chief executive Richard Masters warned yesterday there can be no ‘blank cheque’ to bail out English Football League clubs.

The top-flight is being pressurised into negotiating a financial package to ensure no clubs go out of business due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Masters confirmed no agreement had yet been reached with EFL chairman Rick Parry.

A proposed £50million rescue package for League One and Two clubs was called ‘pitiful’ by parliamentary committee chairman Julian Knight.

But Masters (right) told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee: ‘The Premier League has engaged and wants to seek resolution but there can’t be a blank cheque or an underwriting of losses.

‘We believe our proposal is appropriate and goes to the heart of the problem and is in line with government policy on how it deals with other sectors.

‘We believe we are stepping up and helping the pyramid of football, we have yet to reach an agreement with Rick but I am confident we can do that.

‘I don’t think our proposals are pitiful. We can make money available now to clubs that need it and work with the EFL to ensure funds go to the right places to ensure clubs don’t suffer distress or get to the point of administration.’

Parry still hopes a deal with the Premier League can be agreed by the end of the month and, when asked by Knight whether that would be the case, replied: ‘We sincerely hope so.’