Sheffield Wednesday and others told not to expect imminent financial help from Premier League

That’s according to the division’s chief executive Richard Masters, who has warned any financial assistance will have to wait until the top tier have their plans for the 2020/21 season ironed out.

This week the Premier League announced their blueprint for its return, with all matches televised and played behind closed doors, with fixtures starting on June 17.

The Championship remains in limbo. All clubs including Sheffield Wednesday have nine matches remaining and an imminent decision appears to have been delayed after the EFL announced a further meeting ahead of a club vote on the next steps.

Clubs are expected to vote for the season to continue, though it has been warned that the season will have to be completed by the end of July.

All the while Football League clubs are losing money, with EFL chairman Rick Parry warning the Championship alone faces a £200m shortfall by September.

Responding to questions about how and whether the Premier League should step in to assist the second tier, Masters said: “Let me explain, at the moment we are dealing with our own financial situation.

"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.”

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.”

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