MORE football clubs could go out of business in the coming weeks unless an agreement on a bailout package for the Football League is agreed quickly, a parliamentary committee has heard.

Last month English Football League (EFL) clubs reached an agreement in principle to accept an offer from the Premier League of a £50 million bailout for those in League One and League Two, but Championship clubs have only been offered the chance to apply for hardship funds on a case-by-case basis.

The protracted negotiations have led to fears that clubs could follow Bury and Macclesfield in going to the wall — a warning repeated by football finance expert Kieran Maguire as he appeared before the digital, culture, media and sport committee today.