KARL Robinson has hailed the agreement of a coronavirus rescue package that will give Sky Bet League One and Two clubs a £50m boost.

Premier League shareholders approved the measures to help English Football League (EFL) clubs through the financial struggles of the pandemic, which also includes a £200m interest-free loan for Championship sides.

Top-flight teams had been under pressure to fund the bailout, while Robinson previously said he would feel uneasy if it was paid for by the government. 

Oxford United’s head coach said: “We’re very thankful for the opportunity in a league pyramid that we believe so strongly about.

“Football clubs are the heartbeat of most communities, it’s part of our culture.

“I don’t think many people within the industry should have too much negative to say.”

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The Premier League will pay third and fourth tier clubs £30m immediately to cover lost match day revenue from playing behind closed doors.

Each side in League One will receive a minimum of £375,000 and those in the division below will get at least £250,000.

The remaining cash from that pot will be split using a calculation of lost gate revenues, to be approved by the Premier League and the EFL.

A further £20m of monitored grants will also be available.

Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said: “I’m glad that football has come together to agree this substantial package.

“Fans are starting to return and we look forward to building on this as soon as it’s safe.

“With a £250m support package for men’s elite football and £300m government funding for women’s football, the National League and other major spectator sports we have fuel in the tank to get clubs and sports through this.”

The full £250m value of the package is significant, as this was the figure for lost revenue EFL chair Rick Parry had previously given and was the amount proposed within the controversial Project Big Picture plans that emerged in October.

A previous £50m offer from the Premier League to Leagues One and Two, understood to comprise of £20m in grants and £30m in loans, was rejected by the EFL in October as it made no provision for clubs in the Championship.