Premier League 'must prepare for multi-million pound levy to save lower league teams'

PREMIER League clubs must brace themselves for a multi-million pound levy to save ailing lower league clubs, it emerged last night.

A radical tax on transfers or telly cash remains “an option” if a rescue package isn’t secured for financially insecure clubs in the football pyramid.

A government source told The Sun on Sunday that the plan is on the table as clubs suffered severe hardship due to coronavirus.

There is huge frustration across Whitehall that a deal hasn’t been struck between the Premier League to help save English Football League clubs.

The EFL had asked for £250 million but the Premier League only offered £50 million in grants and loans for just League One and Legaue Two clubs.

It follows Tory MP Julian Knight, who chairs the Commons’ culture select committee, declaring the government take a percentage of the multi-billion TV deals.

He said: “If this deal isn’t done pretty quickly I think the government should consider pretty radical action in order to intervene.

“It could involve for example a levy on TV revenues and a redistribution to the EFL.”

A Whitehall insider last night said: “There is a deal to be done and the government’s message is to knuckle down, get on with it and come up with a proper plan.”

A spokesman for the Premier League said: “The Premier League has no intention to cause divides and will engage with any EFL club, including those in the Championship, that is suffering severe financial losses due to the pandemic.”

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