Soccer: PFA chief warns of 'doomsday scenario'

Players’ union chief Gordon Taylor today spelled out a doomsday scenario for football as ITV Digital applied to be put into administration with the row over television cash owed to Nationwide League clubs reaching crisis point..

ITV Digital had wanted the clubs to accept a cash cut of almost £130m (€212.1m) over the next two years changing the terms of a contract agreed in June 2000.

And the channel’s owners, Granada and Carlton Communications, had warned they would close the digital channel unless they could cut costs.

The Football League stood firm and claimed clubs should be paid what they are owed, meaning ITV Digital’s owners have pulled the plug although short-term funding will be provided to the service.

Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor believes league clubs face the real prospect of going to the wall unless a solution to the impasse can be found.

He said: ‘‘It is going to mean cost-cutting and redundancies at the lower scale.’’

Taylor criticised the owners of ITV Digital and told Sky Sports News: ‘‘It is not good for anyone, clubs, players, fans.

‘‘Clubs in Division One get most of the TV money and to most lower league clubs it is life and death.

‘‘It is very disappointing that public companies are talking about administration. It is brinkmanship.

‘‘I think it is a matter for the lawyers now.’’

Meanwhile, cash-strapped Swansea are urging the Football League to fight ITV Digital all the way.

The Third Division club, who had seen their debt reduced from £1.7m (€2.8m) to £500,000 (€815,700) on Monday after a creditors meeting, were rocked by today’s news.

Swansea, like other clubs in the division, were due to receive another £125,000 (€203,900) in TV monies next season.

Spokesman Peter Owen said: ‘‘We are by no means out of the woods, so this news has not come at a good time for us.

‘‘It is a very difficult situation for all clubs from the First Division through to the Third.

‘‘I would suspect the Football League will fight it all the way. ITV Digital have, after all, signed a legally-binding contract.’’

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie said: ‘‘I think it’s a very serious time for league football.

‘‘Most First Division clubs are going to be short of £3m (€4.9m) and Division Two and Three clubs £600,000 (€978,809) and £400,000 (€652,500) respectively.’’

He continued on Sky News: ‘‘No-one made Carlton and Granada and ONDigital sign this contract and it’s unfortunate they’re not prepared to honour it.’’