Premier League: Setanta must pay by Friday

Setanta's rights to 46 Premier League matches next season will be offered to other broadcasters if the sports broadcaster fails to make full payment on its obligations to the League by Friday.

In a statement, the League said it was working with Setanta to give it time to meet its contractual obligations but set a deadline of Friday for the necessary arrangements to be made.

"The Premier League has been working over the past weeks, with Setanta, to ascertain whether they are in a position to continue as the broadcaster of 46 UK live matches for the 2009-10 season," the League explained.

"Although the Premier League would like to provide Setanta with as much time as possible to re-arrange its finances, the start of the 2009-10 season is only two months away, with the release of fixtures imminent.

"Accordingly, the Premier League has notified Setanta that if necessary the existing licence agreement between us will be terminated, coming into effect if Setanta does not meet certain contractual requirements of the Premier League on or before Friday 19 June 2009.

"In view of the shortage of time before the start of next season, the Premier League has determined, with the agreement of Setanta, that it shall today issue its invitation to tender in respect of the 46 UK live matches for the 2009-10 season only.

"The bid deadline has been set for Monday 22 June but we will give all prospective bidders notice late on Friday 19 June if Setanta have met their conditions, thereby negating the need for bids to be submitted."