REVEALED: The TEN Premier League clubs who shot down the new £900m EFL deal… with top flight teams considering legal action if forced to pay the ‘unpalatable’ and ‘unworkable’ settlement

A growing number of Premier League clubs are considering ditching football’s ‘New Deal’ – and taking legal action should a government regulator try to force them to pay.

Top-flight sides met on Monday in the hope that a vote would be held on an offer to be made to the EFL over a financial settlement ahead of the arrival of the game’s ombudsman.

But such a ballot did not even take place as no fewer than half the league made it clear beforehand that it was not worth doing so.

Mail Sport understands those clubs were Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, West Ham, Aston Villa, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.

As part of what was a forthright meeting, the prospect of canning the deal entirely was raised, while a plan to take on the government in court, should it be deemed necessary to do so, is known to have been discussed separately between clubs.

Ten Premier League clubs have rejected a financial settlement for the EFL worth £900million

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal rejected the deal, Mail Sport understands

Insiders have disclosed that the prospect of a business being forced to pay a rival business in the same industry – with that money then used by the rival to try and take their place in the Premier League – as ‘unpalatable’ and ‘unworkable’.

Some feel that any legal challenge would cost far less than the extra £836m over five years being proposed and would, at the very least, delay any attempt by the regulator to force through an agreement.

The Football Governance Bill, which includes plans for a regulator which would have the power to monitor and enforce compliance with financial regulations, is expected to be introduced next month. It would then take a further several months, potentially beyond a General Election, to become law.

The Premier League’s executive had put forward a proposal to pay £836m over five years, which would come on top of the existing £110m in solidarity payments and £40m a year youth development funding.

But that move was met with a growing resistance, with the very prospect of such a ‘New Deal’ now apparently under serious threat.

Nottingham Forest, who have been charged with breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules this campaign, are believed to be among the 10 clubs rejecting the deal

The Premier League, led by chief executive Richard Masters, and the EFL declined to comment 

How the latest development is received by government remains to be seen. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has already warned of intervention should agreement remain elusive.

Clubs did vote for their own financial controls to be agreed before any distribution to the lower leagues is approved. Such a process is likely to take several months.

There is a widespread view that the problems in the game outside the top-flight come as a result of overspending and clubs not running themselves properly, rather than a lack of funding in the first place.

The Premier League and EFL declined to comment. The delay means that the EFL is likely to continue to refuse to scrap two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals next season.