Nationwide League: League press for full disclosure

The true extent of ITV Digital’s shaky finances could be revealed today when the Football League ask the High Court to release confidential documents withheld when the debt-laden broadcaster went into administration.

The League have threatened a £500m (€816m) lawsuit unless ITV Digital fulfil their contract to screen Nationwide matches and pay the £89.25m (€145m) due in August - and agree to enter discussions over the final instalment of £89.25m (€145m), a payment scheduled in a further 12 months.

As the League’s battle to force ITV Digital shareholders - media big guns Carlton and Granada - to bail out their failed digital venture goes on, soccer chiefs want to scrutinise full details of the broadcaster’s finances.

Certain information was not revealed in an open court when administrators Deloitte and Touche were appointed to take over ITV Digital a fortnight ago.

The High Court in London will now sit at 11am today to decide whether D&T’s administrator Nick Dargan must hand over details of the station’s finances. Leading barrister Anthony Mann QC will represent the League.

League spokesman John Nagle said: ‘‘We’ve made an application to the High Court for the full disclosure of documents relating to the administration of ITV Digital.

‘‘As their major creditor, we believe it is right that all parties involved in this matter should exist on a level playing field and have the same access to all relevant information.’’