EFL clubs hold talks over funding package
EFL clubs have been holding talks this week over the distribution of a funding package to help clubs through the Covid-19 crisis.
As has been widely reported Sunderland, along with every other League One club, will receive a £375,000 payment as part of the EFL bailout. They will also receive a portion of a further fund of £15million, distributed proportionately based on lost gate receipts.
Sunderland have been lobbying hard for a greater share of the fund, arguing that the current arrangements do not reflect the hardship a club of this size is experiencing as a result of the exclusion of fans from stadiums.
It is understood talks have been ongoing between clubs this week. Reports in the national press claim Sunderland will be among the big winners and are in line for a £2.7million grant but the Echo understands talks are ongoing at this stage.
There is also an additional £20million pot beyond this - k n ow n a s th e ' m o n i to re d grant'.
However, any club who re c eive s m o n ey f ro m th i s pot will be subject to future spending restrictions when it comes to transfer fees and wages.
Clubs can break these restrictions, but only if they then repay the money.
Sunderland fan organisation Red and White Army (RAWA) has recently called on bosses at the Stadium of Light to outline whether they intend to apply for a 'monitored grant' from league bosses.
R AWA h a s ra i s e d c o n - cerns about what impact it may have in future IF the club was to apply for a 'monitored grant' in terms of restrictions on transfer spend and wages.