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EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey under pressure over new TV deal

Vulnerable position: Shaun Harvey: Getty Images for Soccerex
Vulnerable position: Shaun Harvey: Getty Images for Soccerex

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey was in a vulnerable position on Tuesday as rebel Championship clubs met to discuss legal action to stop the EFL’s new £595million television deal.

A group of club chiefs were meeting at Villa Park this morning to consider their options after the EFL board went against their wishes and yesterday signed a five-year broadcast contract with Sky Sports.

Many clubs are unhappy the deal was signed and could call for Harvey to resign. Derby owner Mel Morris was thought to be leading the meeting of clubs, who were set to discuss a legal challenge and whether the EFL board had the authority to sign the contract against the wishes of the majority of its leading members.

A group of Championship clubs are opposed to the contract because they feel the terms of the deal with Sky, which starts next season, undervalues the league.

The deal represents a 35 per cent increase on the existing contract but Sky have the right to provide an enhanced red button service for midweek matches. Clubs also feel the EFL withheld information about the deal during the process. A group of clubs led by Derby, Aston Villa and Leeds have threatened to form a breakaway league but, with no alternative offers on the table, EFL directors yesterday voted unanimously for the deal with Sky to be signed.

The EFL have said they will conduct a review into the whole process and how they communicate with clubs. The EFL are adamant the correct process has been followed but if the review finds otherwise, the position of Harvey will come under threat.

It is thought 19 clubs wrote a letter to the EFL last week threatening legal action against them. Millwall, along with Bolton, Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Hull, did not sign the letter and have instead called for clubs to work together.

Brentford signed the letter to the EFL but Bees chairman Cliff Crown is on the EFL board and yesterday voted for the deal with Sky. The contract gives Sky the option to increase the number of televised league matches from 138 to 158. Harvey said: “The deal we have entered into with Sky allows our clubs the benefit of financial security, which was an absolute priority.”