Uefa offers small change

Johansson is about the welfare of small clubs

 Sports Talk: Financial crisis imminent?

Uefa president Lennart Johansson offered little prospect of help for cash-strapped Nationwide League clubs threatened by the collapse of ITV Digital.

Johansson also hinted that English football should put its own house in order before looking for help from European football's governing body.

Nationwide League clubs face a bleak future, with some even looking at possible extinction.

The Uefa president said: "We understand the problems they are having.

"But sometimes you have to blame yourself first before you ask others to solve your problems."

We have given help to the former Soviet countries and African clubs, and I am not ruling out similar help for small clubs in England

Uefa president Lennart Johansson

Johansson told BBC Five Live: "We are worried and we are very observant about what is happening, not only in England but in other countries too."

The president offered the faintest glimmer of hope that Uefa would be able troubled clubs.

He said: "We try to keep as much as possible aside to give back to the smaller clubs.

"We have given help to the former Soviet countries and African clubs, and I am not ruling out similar help for small clubs in England.

"Although it would be wrong of me to make promises, we will certainly discuss the possibility."

Hopeful

However, Leyton Orient chairman Barry hearnes believes the clubs still have a chance of recovering the £178.5m they are owed by ITV digital.

He told BBC Five Live: "If you have a legal contract in place you should be expected to rely on it.

"We will look to Carlton and Granada, who we believe are underwriting this entire adventure. This will end up in court and we'll get our chance.

Earlier, Colin Garlick, chairman of Division Three club Macclesfield Town, urged the football community to pull together.

At Macclesfield we face the prospect of analysing every single aspect of our costs

Colin Garlick

Garlick told Macclesfield's official website: "The Football Association, the Football League and the Professional Footballers Association together must act immediately.

"They may have to accelerate their programme to restructure the game.

"This could mean regionalisation and the renegotiation of players' contracts to meet the shortfall in income.

"At Macclesfield we face the prospect of analysing every single aspect of our costs, including players' contracts.

"Can Carlton and Granda seriously continue to act with integrity and honour if they have been seen to be instrumental in the demise of part of the fabric of this country's culture?"