EFL clubs have rejected a £50m bail-out offer from the Premier League - saying it falls "some way short" of what they need.

Clubs, including Carlisle United, met today to discuss the top-flight's latest proposals aimed at supporting lower-league clubs affected by Covid-19.

The League have now confirmed they have turned down what they describe as a "conditional offer" but want to continue talks.

It is the latest twist in the ongoing saga, following the shelving of the controversial "Project Big Picture" proposals.

The subsequent £50m offer comprised grants and loans and was aimed at Leagues One and Two only, with separate talks intended to look at the Championship.

There is no sign of a resolution to the crisis, though, with the EFL saying in a statement: "Clubs have today met by division to discuss the conditional offer put forward yesterday by the Premier League in respect to the financial support required as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The need for continued unity across the membership base was fundamental to discussions across all three divisions, and therefore there was a strong consensus that any rescue package must meet the requirements of all 72 clubs before it can be considered in full.

"The League has been very clear in its discussions of the financial requirements needed to address lost gate receipts in 2019/20 and 2020/21, and while EFL clubs are appreciative that a formal proposal has now been put forward, the conditional offer of £50million falls some way short of this.

"The EFL is keen to continue discussions with the Premier League to reach an agreeable solution that will address the short-term financial needs of all of our clubs and allow us the ability to consider the longer-term economic issues in parallel that specifically look to achieve a more sustainable EFL for the future.

"There will be no further comment at this time."

United were represented by chief executive Nigel Clibbens at the meeting, while co-owner John Nixon is also an EFL director. The Blues tonight declined to comment beyond the above EFL statement which was issued on behalf of all clubs after the meeting.

The EFL had called for £250m to help its clubs through the period when Covid-19 means fans cannot attend games.

A further development came today as Gary Neville joined forces with a group including former FA chairman David Bernstein to put forward a separate plan, which calls for independent regulation of English football.

Meanwhile, it also today emerged that FA chairman Greg Clarke had proposed, earlier this year, a plan that could have seen a Premier League 2 created and B Teams in the EFL pyramid.

Clarke responded to a leaked document by saying in a statement: “It is an important part of my job to work together with key stakeholders across the game to discuss and evaluate potential improvements to the structure of English football that would have a positive long-term effect at every level of the game. The paper captures a summary of what areas and issues were discussed at an early meeting.

“I encouraged Premier League and EFL involvement in these discussions for greater transparency across the game. The EFL joined but the Premier League had an interim chair at the time, and the acting CEO made the decision to not attend.

“As the discussions progressed I and others were unhappy with the direction of travel in terms of major redistribution of money and power to bigger clubs and the mooting of a breakaway. I confirmed earlier this week that at this point I made the decision to discontinue my involvement in these discussions.”