League to talk with ITV Digital administrators

ITV Digital's administrators Deloitte & Touche have called for a meeting with league chiefs after the Nationwide League's chairman said that he was "committed to entering positive discussions".

Chairman Bill Harris went further still and described the terms of any future talks, saying that the instalment for the third and final year of the contract with ITV Digital could be up for negotiation.

"We will negotiate over the third part of the money and seek a settlement to the mutual benefit of Carlton, Granada and ourselves," said Mr Harris.

This latest move reiterates earlier statements from Nationwide League Chief Executive David Burns who suggested that the league may be prepared to wave the remaining final year payments in return for the full TV broadcast rights.

Earlier this week, Mr Burns said: "We are quite clear that we believe we should receive every penny that is owed to us. However, if they want to discuss the deal further then we will talk. But we are not prepared to renegotiate on the price of the rights for no good reason. They must either pay the full amount - or give the rights back."

The August instalment of £89.25 million, plus a 'golden goodbye' of £30 million and the full return TV rights could yet be enough to satisfy league bosses.

For their part, administrators Deloitte & Touche will be keen to progress the matter before reporting back to the High Court on April 15. However, the Nationwide League has stressed that the failure of talks will lead to league chiefs issuing a £500 million suit against the owners of ITV Digital – Carlton and Granada.

Elsewhere, the dispute has now developed to such an extent that the NUJ has felt compelled to write to league chiefs to plea for the safety of journalists and camera crews working for ITV.

NUJ Broadcasting Organiser, Paul McLaughlin, wrote to league Chief Executive David Burns urging clubs to communicate to fans “either through public statements or match programmes that [NUJ] members are also victims of this situation and only seek to promote the best interests of football as they carry out their jobs as professionals during this difficult time”.

The call was made after some football bosses called for fans to protest against Granada and Carlton. So far that has meant boycotting 'Coronation Street'.

ITV Digital, www.itv-digital.co.uk

(GMcG)