The Premier League has said that its Stg50million ($A91 million) rescue package to League One and League Two clubs remains on the table despite the offer having been rejected.
The English Football League (EFL), representing clubs below the Premier League, had rejected the offer, designed to assist clubs affected by the coronavirus pandemic and made up of grants and interest-free loans, after divisional meetings with its clubs on Thursday.
In a statement, the Premier League added that there are "no conditions relating to promotion and relegation, setting the level of salary caps or loan deals, as is being claimed."
The EFL's statement described the Premier League's offer as "conditional" but the Premier League's position is that the sole condition is that a club must prove it will soon go out of business because of the pandemic to access the grants and loans.
A statement released by the Premier League on Friday evening read: "The Premier League can confirm the rescue package offered this week to League One and League Two clubs remains available.
"This proposal - which consists of grants and interest-free loans totalling Stg50 million - aims to ensure that no club will go out of business as a result of the financial impact of COVID-19, and all will be able to complete the 2020/21 season.
"There are no conditions relating to promotion and relegation, setting the level of salary caps or loan deals, as is being claimed."
"The Premier League has no intention whatsoever to cause divides and will engage with any EFL club, including those in the Championship, that is suffering severe financial losses due to the pandemic."
Earlier on Friday, Portsmouth chief executive Mark Catlin said there had been unanimity among League One clubs in rejecting the offer.
He told the PA news agency: "It was far too little, too onerous in regards of the strings attached and didn't offer any real solution moving forward. It was divisive at a time when we needed unity. It was wrong on so many levels.
"It is woefully short of what's required. The EFL has been saying since the beginning that there's a Stg250 million black hole. The offer is embarrassing. I've been very defensive of the Premier League but I lost a lot of respect for them with that offer."
Australian Associated Press
