November 1 2002

Simon Jordan

Simon Jordan has lashed out at the recent deal struck between ITV and the Football League for TV highlights.

In the deal struck with ITV the Football League will receive £2million cash and a £3million advance on the liquidation of ITV Digital, as well as not having to pay an estimated £1million in costs from their failed legal action.

The deal even includes a clause banning critics from speaking out against the television companies.

The cash involved will do little for the many football league clubs who are now struggling to come to terms with the loss of £178.5 million from the failed ITV Digital venture.

Jordan is furious with the Football League for closing a deal with ITV, despite continuing antipathy towards them over the ITV Digital fiasco.

He said: "We have come out of a nuclear war with these people, there are bodies everywhere, and they are still dictating to us.

"I'm disappointed by the weakness of our negotiating position. It shows how weak the Football League are.

"Football is at the point where disaster is looming for a proportion of clubs. But it's not Carlton and Granada's fault we're incompetent, it's our own fault.

"I hold the Football League Board responsible for the failure of the commercial deal between ITV Digital and the Football League.

"We negotiated the deal and we allowed them to wriggle out of it. The consequences of that are meltdown in football."