Government snubs troubled clubs

Caborn is blaming a lot of problems on ITV Digital

Minister for Sport Richard Caborn has warned financially troubled clubs that the Government will not mount a rescue operation.

Four troubled clubs have contacted Caborn over the last week - but he is adamant that football must solve its own problems.

Profile: Richard Caborn

"I had four who came to see me about the financial difficulties they face - four very famous clubs who will probably not be in existence at the end of the season," said Caborn.

"But we are not in the business of going in to rescue any business, be it the pits or steelworks, and football is no different,"

And Caborn traced a lot of the current problems back to the collapse of ITV Digital.

"There is no simple solution to it.

"After the collapse of ITV Digital, which threw a lot of clubs into financial difficulties, there are some real problems out there.

"Football is no different to any other business.

"Coming from Sheffield, as I do, we have seen the steel industry and mining go under and football has to look to its own problems."

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