Premier League chief provides major update on financial help for Derby County & other clubs

Derby County news: Richard Masters has been discussing plans to put a financial package in place to help clubs lower down the Leagues as the economic hardship of the coronavirus pandemic continues

Richard Masters has revealed that the Premier League will not issue a rescue package to the English Football League (EFL) until plans are in place for the 2020-21 season.

EFL chairman Rick Parry revealed earlier this month that the leagues faced a £200 million financial blackhole by September as a result of the season being halted.

Derby County 's campaign has been suspended since the middle of March.

Phillip Cocu 's side haven't played since March 8, a 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers.

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With the ticket office, megsatore and restauraunt The Yard all closed the club has seen income grind to a halt.

Fans won't be allowed into stadiums for some time and that will create another financial headache for the club.

Further down the Leagues, the financial realities of coronavirus are starting to hit home.

With a near three-month break to the season, clubs in League One and League Two are fearing for their futures due to the financial impact of the loss of matchday revenue.

League Two opted to curtail their season, as a result, whilst League One clubs remain in deadlock over whether to play out the remainder of the season.

There have been suggestions and calls for the Premier League to deliver a rescue package to save EFL clubs, which former Manchester United captain and Salford City owner Gary Neville has been particularly vocal about.

However, Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, has insisted no further funds will be distributed until the top-flight has their own finances in order for next season.

"At the moment we are dealing with our own financial situation," Masters told Sky Sports. "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.

"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."

On calls for the Premier League to offer more support to the EFL, he 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."