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The Football League are holding an emergency meeting at Walsall today in a bid to resolve the payments row with the Premier League.
The £400million package on offer was rejected last week, with the Premier League now threatening to withdraw the 'solidarity payment' unless the FL agree to the new deal. The deal sees payments rise considerably, with League Two sides netting an extra £180,000 a season, but sees the Championship sides' payments rise by nearly £1.4million - and the parachute payments for those dropping down from the Premier League are extended from two seasons to four.
The lower two divisions fear that the Championship will become a closed shop with the increased finances, and that there may be a breakaway 'Premier League 2' without agreement.
The matter was due to be the main issue at the League's meeting later in the week, but the situation has become so tense that today's meeting was deemed necessary.
Without the payments, the Bulls would be at least £72,000 worse off for next season. They would also be due a share of the second-year parachute payments that Newcastle and West Brom would have received but for their return to the PL. That is estimated to be worth another £60,000.
