EFL left disappointed after proposed loan payment to Championship clubs is halted
THE English Football League has expressed disappointment at the temporary halting of a loan payment to Sky Bet Championship clubs by HM Treasury, but is hopeful a solution will be reached.
Teams in the second tier expected a £100million loan through the Bank of England to be paid on Friday to help finish the current season, which continues to be badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
However, earlier this week alreadyagreed terms of the financial bail-out package were changed by the Government, who insisted on pay restrictions for ‘relevant individuals’ to include players, not just board directors and senior executives.
It led to the EFL writing to Championship clubs on Thursday to provide an update on the situation and, while the delay is unwelcome, the overall expectation is the £100million loan will be paid with proactive discussions taking place with the Treasury.
An EFL spokesperson said: “We are extremely disappointed by the developments at this late stage of our discussions and we will continue to strongly negotiate with HM Treasury to secure a solution that meets the requirements of Championship clubs and is consistent with the parameters other industries are being asked to meet.
“There remains a significant amount of debt - including HMRC - being stored up by Championship Clubs, caused simply by the inability to generate normal levels of income due to the circumstances created by the pandemic.”
All matches in England continue to be played behind closed doors and. as a result. sides in the second tier in particular are losing money every month.
Some clubs have requested an interest-free loan but currently that would only occur if they accept pay restraints, which is not expected.
Back in December, the Premier League and EFL agreed a bailout package which enabled lower-league clubs to access £250million of funding to help them through the pandemic.
The Premier League provided up to £15m to cover interest costs and arrangements fees on a £200m loan facility for Championship clubs, which was to help meet PAYE liabilities.
PAYE deferrals were extended to March in December but when that expires it could provide a further complication to matters.
While talks continue with the Treasury, alternatives are being drawn up and, although they are at an advanced stage, nothing is finalised yet.
DILLON PHILLIPS
Had very little to do in the first half, to be fair. But in the second half he made two tremendous penalty saves from Paul Gallagher and Ched Evans. Then denied Tom Barkhuizen from point-blank range late on. Phenomenal display.
PERRY NG
Largely faultless, it must be said. A couple of hairy moments in possession and had an interesting tussle with Greg Cunningham all afternoon. More than held his own, though.
SEAN MORRISON
Another cool and collected performance from the skipper. Did well to win the penalty in the opening minute and kept their strikers at bay. Made some telling interceptions from corners.
ADEN FLINT
A near flawless display from the big centre back. What a key component he has become in this side. Won everything in the air and adds such a threatening presence in the opposition box.
CURTIS NELSON
Quietly went about his business and kept the opposition strikers in check. This back three gelling very nicely at the minute. He’s in good form at the minute.
JOE BENNETT
It is a joy to watch him bombing beyond the last man and looking for a diagonal ball. Linked up nicely with Murphy, too. Playing nice football in great areas of the pitch. Added some bite to the encounter, too.
WILL VAULKS
Just going from strength to strength in the middle of the pitch, the Welshman. Playing like Roy of the Rovers at the minute, his legs never stop, he tackles everything and plays intelligent passes.
MARLON PACK
Another excellent outing from the midfielder, who barked orders all afternoon and kept play ticking along nicely. Took his chance well at the top end of the pitch but never neglected his defensive duties.
HARRY WILSON
Showcased some lovely touches and made some clever runs. Was key to Cardiff defending from the front, too, an aspect of his game which can be overlooked. Set up Murphy brilliantly for his goal. Such a bonus to have in your team.
KIEFFER MOORE
Grabbed his 14th of the season with a coolly-taken penalty early on. Battled for everything and was always an out for defenders and Dillon Phillips. Another top display.
STAR MAN: JOSH MURPHY
A wonderful outing from the forward. Ran around like a man possessed. Led the press from the front and run with the ball so confidently, beating countless defenders. Took his chance so well, too, beating his man and drilling home his goal. A delight to watch for an hour.
SUBSTITUTES
Jonny Williams, Leandro Bacuna (for Wilson 69), Alex Smithies, Max Watters, Sheyi Ojo (for Murphy 60), Tom Sang, Mark Harris (for Moore 77), Ciaron Brown, Joel Bagan.
PRESTON NE
Iversen; Browne (Rafferty 82), Storey, Lindsay, Hughes, Cunningham; Whiteman (Gallagher 60), Johnson (Gordon 60), Molumby (Potts 72); Evans, Riis (Barkhuizen 45). Subs: Ripley, Ven den Berg, Huntington, Sinclair.
REFEREE
Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire)
TYLER Walker’s brace boosted Coventry’s Sky Bet Championship survival hopes as they claimed a deserved 2-0 win over stuttering Brentford.
The promotion-chasing Bees headed into the clash at St
Andrew’s in the midst of a wobble after two surprise defeats in a week to Barnsley and QPR.
And news that they were missing 24-goal top scorer Ivan Toney with a minor ankle injury would have done little to improve the nerves of their fans.
He was badly missed as the visitors lacked bite in forward areas, while a hard-working and positive Sky Blues side impressed in attack and defence.
Norwich took advantage to move seven points clear at the top with a 1-0 victory over Rotherham at Carrow Road.
Teemu Pukki’s 15th goal of the season secured the Canaries a third consecutive win, leaving Rotherham two points from safety.
Middlesbrough moved three points off the play-off positions, after Bournemouth lost 2-1 at QPR.
Goals from Stefan Johansen and Todd Kane, either side of Shane Long’s equaliser, gave Rangers a fourth successive triumph and ended Jonathan Woodgate’s unbeaten start as Cherries caretaker boss.
Ashley Fletcher and Marc Bola struck in the first half for Boro in a 2-0 win at fifth-placed Reading.
Nick Powell struck twice and Steven Fletcher was also on target as Stoke beat Luton 3-0 to stay in the hunt for a top-six spot.
Managerless Bristol City suffered a seventh consecutive loss in all competitions after Carlton Morris’ third goal in as many games gave Barnsley a 1-0 victory at Ashton Gate, while Millwall drew 0-0 with rock-bottom Wycombe.
Nottingham Forest condemned Blackburn to a fourth straight loss with a 1-0 success at the City Ground.
Alex Mighten put Forest ahead in the 26th minute, with Adam Armstrong missing a penalty for Rovers in the second half.
Birmingham won the bottomof-the-table clash with Sheffield Wednesday 1-0.
After Liam Shaw was sent off for the hosts in the 50th minute, Scott Hogan punished them to move Blues two points above the bottom three and leave Wednesday three points from safety.
Wayne Rooney said he felt Derby had been denied a “clear goal” in their 2-1 defeat at Watford on Friday night.
The Hornets were already 2-0 up when Colin Kazim-Richards headed a reply from a corner five minutes before half-time.
It was ruled out however - seemingly for a foul by Andre Wisdom on Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann - but Rams manager Rooney was not convinced.
He said: “I think it’s a clear goal, I’m still not sure why the referee has disallowed it. I asked the fourth official and he couldn’t give me an answer.”
Two goals in two first-half minutes from Joao Pedro and ex-Ram Will Hughes turned out to be just enough for Watford.
William Troost-Ekong’s 77th-minute own goal gave Derby a lifeline and they bombarded the hosts for much of the remainder but could not force an equaliser.