Revealed: The true cost of voiding the Football League season to Portsmouth, Sunderland and Ipswich Town

That’s the view of Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony, who believes third-tier sides would be left to foot that sizeable bill if the decision is made not to complete the campaign.

MacAnthony reckons outfits would be forced to repay EFL and Premier League solidarity money along with dealing with sponsorship and season-ticket refunds, in the event of a decision not to see 2019-20 season to a conclusion.

The reality is the Irishman’s figure is likely to be conservative for Pompey, with their 14,500 season tickets dwarving the number sold by his club this term.

Speaking in his latest podcast, Football Club Chairman - Hard Truth, MacAnthony breaks down his figures in response to an ongoing dispute with Accrington owner Andy Holt and those who don’t want to see out the remaining fixtures amid the coronavirus crisis.

MacAnthony said: ‘Right now the majority of clubs have completed 77-78 per cent of the season, so there’s 22 per cent to be completed.

‘If the season is voided and it’s 23 per cent incomplete here’s what will happen.

‘In a typical year we get paid around £1.7m in EFL and solidarity money to play 44 games of football.

‘Take 23 per cent of that and it’s about £390-£400,000

‘So by rights if we void the season and have fallen short we will need to give refunds, and Andy Holt’s screaming about why do we need to give refunds?

‘He’s a buisnessman in manufacturing and if someone did an order and he fell short, they’d already paid and he’d only given them 78 per cent of the order, they’d be asking for a refund.

‘So about £400,000 we'd have to refund the EFL and solidarity payments to the Premier League.’

MacAnthony goes on to look at the impact of season-ticket refunds and the prospect of having to refund sponsors who wouldn’t be getting what they’d been promised in the face of a voided campaign.

He also confirms clubs are looking at providing a free iFollow service to season-ticket holders when the campaign goes behind closed doors, as expected.

MacAnthony added: ‘Now look at season ticket refunds. Most fans have been really good about this and haven’t made a run on refunds for games.

‘If games are played behind closed doors our compromise would be iFollow, free tickets and watch the game live - that’s how you watch your last nine to 10 games as a season-ticket holder.

‘But let’s say there’s some fans who want a refund, let’s say we void the season and they don’t get to watch those games.

‘We’re talking about season-ticket refunds in the region of £80-£150,000 quite possibly.

‘Add that to the EFL and solidarity and we’re well over £500,000.

‘Now let’s talk about sponsorship. Most clubs have sponsorship, naming deals and names on their tops.

‘Most sponsorship deals are £150,000 to £500,000 in League One, depending on who you are

‘Let’s say our sponsorship say we’ve defaulted on that contract and they decided to sue back for the 23 per cent. Let’s take an average of £150,000.

‘I’ve calculated the refund bill would be £750-£850,000. There’s your void bill.’