The Premier League’s so-called big six could go to war and threaten to break away if they are denied extra TV cash in a crunch meeting on Wednesday.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are demanding 35 per cent of the next overseas deal is distributed by league position rather than the policy of an equal share among the 20 Premier League clubs.
Although it is believed Everton, Leicester and West Ham will support the move, which has been branded “greedy” by the others, it needs a two-thirds majority (14-6) to carry.
Despite frantic lobbying from Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore, the proposal is likely to fail.
And if the big six are denied more cash, a Prem insider told Sunday Mirror sport it will be the league’s biggest crisis since its formation in 1992.
He said: “If the vote goes against the big six – and it almost certainly will – then watch this space. Things are going to get nasty.”