BBC's Paul Newman: "The resistance from the fans is something that the chairmen have reflected upon."

The meeting in Leicestershire decided more time was needed to investigate the possible impact of the scheme on the game.

The Chief Executive of the Premiership, Peter Leaver, said: "We are not going to be rushed on this one and we will talk to BSkyB again next week. But the interests of supporters is paramount."

Mr Leaver said the Premiership had a duty to supporters to examine carefully the plans, which have been on the table for six months.

Peter Leaver: "We want to make sure grounds are full"

"We must see that the whole game benefits and that no-one loses out - or as few lose out as possible."

BSkyB, which is owned by the media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, had hoped to launch the new service in September, soon after the start of the next soccer season.

The plans would have involved televising four games live on Saturdays and moving several pay-per-view games to the Sunday, with viewers paying up to £10 per game. They would also have to pay up to £200 for set-top digital decoder to receive the matches.

"If we are going to move games around and fiddle with the fixture list, the supporters have to be comfortable with what we are doing," said Mr Leaver. "The supporters have always been our main concern.

BSkyB has held the rights to show Premiership matches since 1992

"We are concerned that the experiences of pay-per-view on the continent have not been good, with attendances affected.

"The Premiership does not want yawning gaps on the terraces - we want to make sure grounds are full."

Some Premiership clubs were expected to earn an extra £1m a season from the deal, but Mr Leaver insisted money was hardly mentioned at the meeting. No vote was taken - the decision was unanimous, he said.

"Likely in the future"

Mr Leaver added: "We want to be on every media platform but we want to get it right. I think it is very likely there will be some sort of pay-per-view in the future, but it has to be right in the interests of football and its supporters."

Viewers who watch football on BSkyB already have to pay a subscription fee for the service. Under the channel's new direction, they feared being billed twice.

The rejected proposal would have meant:

• Four games moved from the traditional Saturday to Sunday from September 13.
  
• Fans charged up to £10 to watch these games between leading teams.
  
• Up to 144 more games broadcast in the first year's trial of pay-per-view.
  
• More money for the clubs from BSkyB as it rolls out its digital tlevision services.