Liverpool 'lead' Premier League clubs in dispute over £340million broadcaster rebate

Liverpool are set to lead a group of top-flight clubs are preparing to argue against potentially paying rebates to Sky and other broadcasters at Thursday’s latest meeting.

A rebate is being sought by broadcasters because of contractual obligations going unfulfilled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Premier League has been suspended since March, and is due to return behind closed doors.

All 20 clubs were officially informed on Wednesday of the £340million sum they face paying, according to the Guardian.

However, the figure is not split evenly between each club and Liverpool are leading a dispute against the current proposal.

Rather, because of how the rights terms are divided - 50 percent of money is divided equally with 25 percent awarded for live appearances and the other 25 percent dependent on league finishing position - the top six clubs face potentially paying back TREBLE the other 14 sides.

The Premier League’s head of broadcasting, Paul Molnar, is leading negotiations and they have recommended that club’s accept the current terms on offer.

Broadcasters have suggested staggering payments - £30million for some, £10.5million for others - over the next two seasons to help clubs hit financially by the pandemic.

But Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has questioned the rebate previously and is again set to do so on Thursday morning.

And he has reportedly received backing from the likes of West Ham,Tottenham and a number of others.

The Premier League will return with a TV bonanza for armchair viewers and the potential of five back-to-back matches every Saturday and Sunday.

But broadcasters believe the product they paid out for has been devalued without fans able to attend.

However the clubs believe fans not being able to attend games will actually increase the premium on live televised matches.

Sky and BT have rights to 47 of the remaining 92 games.

The other 45 are set to be split, with Sky, BT Sport, Amazon and the BBC all showing interest.

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