League chairman Keith Harris and chief executive David Burns are scheduled to meet with the all-party football group tonight at the House of Commons. It is thought that the main issue will be the responsibilities of ITV Digital owners Carlton Communications and Granada.
The two ITV companies have so far shirked any financial accountability for the £315m TV rights deal between ITV Digital and the league, because the part of the contract that involves them in the deal was never signed.
However, tonight, Harris and Burns are expected to highlight the digital dividend -- a pact with the government giving Carlton and Granada up to £96m a year in tax breaks in return for their role in helping convince the public to sign up for digital services.
League spokesman John Nagle said Harris and Burns would update MPs about the situation and outline the league's point of view.
Nagle said: "They will not be asking the government to bail out the league, but we are looking for support in helping us to get Carlton and Granada to meet their obligations.
"Keith and David will be asking MPs if it is fair for Carlton and Granada to receive these rebates at a time when their actions threaten the future of our football clubs."
ITV Digital owes the league £178m for the two remaining years of a three-year contract for the rights to televise league division football matches.
ITV Digital has offered the league £74m as a final settlement, but this has been rejected by the league, which wants to sue ITV Digital parents Carlton and Granada for the outstanding amount plus loss of earnings if the matches are televised.
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