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A number of overseas broadcasters are reportedly considering the option of suing the Premier League if the current campaign is unable to be concluded.

The division was suspended last month as a result of the COVID-19 virus, with play not resuming until the end of April at the very earliest.

There is also a high chance it could be pushed back even further, or even suspended altogether.

And according to the Evening Standard that could see broadcasters who hold rights to show games launching legal challenges against the Premier League.

Lois Langton, a partner at law firm Howard Kennedy, told the publication: "We have had enquiries from overseas broadcasters, who have paid a lot of money to broadcast Premier League matches in their respective jurisdictions and currently have no matches to show.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

"They are looking at potentially suing the Premier League for the absence of content on their TV channels and it is that you can see having a catastrophic knock-on effect to various layers of football, because it is those TV deals that have been a game-changer in terms of clubs being able to afford astronomical wages and huge staffs."

The Premier League are set to meet again on Friday via a video conference as they consider when and how football can restart amid health concerns surrounding the virus.

Games are almost certainly going to be behind closed doors when games resume with Premier League chiefs now looking towards June and seeing out the season in July.

Some Premier League fans, meanwhile, have been left frustrated by some clubs taking Direct Debit payments despite the season being on hold.

(Image: PA)

It places further pressure on the top flight to confirm at Friday's shareholders’ meeting whether the campaign will be completed.

Clubs insist that the money will definitely be refunded if games are played behind closed doors or if the season is scrapped. Spurs, West Ham, Wolves, Burnley, Liverpool and Watford are among the clubs understood either not to have taken cash or to have completed payments before the shutdown.