FA Withdraw Football Coverage Deal To League Clubs

Football Association officials have announced that they have withdrawn their £118.5 million television offer to the Football League after clubs failed to meet the deadline for a decision. The 72 Endsleigh League chairmen met in London for three hours to discuss the five-year offer by the FA and a rival bid from the Premier League.

The FA had already given them a two-week extension to reach a verdict, but the Football League failed to decide between the two options. The FA’s director of public affairs, David Davies said “It’s deeply disappointing that, after almost six months of debate with the League’s representatives, a request for still more time should be made. The commercial implications of a unique and lucrative deal that was offered to the League means that an extension is not desirable”.

The clubs unanimously accepted that advice and, in response to the FA’s action League president Gordon McKeag said, “The Football League are disappointed but not entirely surprised by the FA’s decision. But we find it encouraging that the door remains open with the FA”.