The Football League chairman Keith Harris and chief executive David Burns met with the all-party football group last night in an attempt to whip up support in its battle for cash with ITV Digital.
The league's presentation to ministers is thought to have focused on the fact that Carlton and Granada receive massive tax rebates for running ITV Digital -- the UK's only digital terrestrial broadcaster -- and the only competition to BSkyB's satellite offering.
Alan Keen, chairman of the all-party group, said it was Carlton and Granada's moral obligation to settle ITV Digital's outstanding £178m for the remaining two years of the deal.
Other ministers involved are thought to include Tony Banks, the former sports minister. Banks is understood to support the idea that Carlton and Granada should settle ITV Digital's unpaid bill.
However, it is thought unlikely that Tessa Jowell, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, will be swayed by the feelings of the all-party football group. Jowell has so far rejected suggestions that government should intervene.
ITV Digital is expected to go into liquidation on Friday if its latest offer of £74m to the league is not accepted. However, the latest reports suggest that the league may consider an offer of £100m, but nothing short of that.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the
_1.jpg)
.jpg)
