Imminent hopes of a Premier League rescue package for Sunderland and fellow EFL clubs dashed

Any hopes of the EFL getting an imminent rescue package from the Premier League have been dashed after chief executive Richard Masters said the top flight needs to deal with its own financial situation first.
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EFL chairman Rick Parry warned recently that the three leagues below the Premier League were facing a £200million financial blackhole by September as a result of the coronavirus pandemic that has led to all football being suspended.

The top flight are aiming to return from June 17 with EFL clubs voting a week on Monday on plans to either resume or curtail League One, with the Championship determined to play on and League Two clubs already expressing a wish to curtail.

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Masters told Sky Sports that the Premier League needs to get back playing and also for there to be clear plans in place for the 2020-21 campaign first.

Sunderland AFC.Sunderland AFC.
Sunderland AFC.

“Let me explain, at the moment we are dealing with our own financial situation," said Masters.

"Until we have been able to get back playing, until we have a clear plan to start the season in 2021, we are dealing with our situations.

“At the moment, we have made good all of our solidarity payments to the pyramid for 2019/20 and we have forwarded a big chunk of next year’s revenue forward and we are committed to completing that.

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"But I think what we have to get ourselves into is a situation where we are sure of the Premier League’s financial situation at a time where clubs are suffering significant revenue losses before we return to that topic."

There have been strong calls from respected figures for the Premier League to do more to support the football league.

On that, Masters added: “At the moment, the best thing we can do is to get back playing because that is what we can focus on.

"What we need to ensure is that we know our financial situation before we get to that topic.”

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Sunderland want the League One campaign to be completed, it is the only way the Black Cats stand a chance of winning promotion as they would miss out on the play-offs if the season is curtailed and decided by a points-per-game ratio.