KARL Robinson admits he would feel “uneasy” if the government funded a £200m bailout of the English Football League.

Talks have continued this week over a ‘rescue package’ for the 72 EFL clubs, with ministers asking the Premier League to step in.

But top division chairmen are thought to be reluctant to bail out lower league sides unless certain conditions are met and have criticised the decision to extend the ban on supporters in stadiums.

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The government has promised to support non-league clubs, while a letter sent to culture secretary Oliver Dowden and co-signed by 17 people, including two former FA Chairmen, has called for a ‘cultural recovery fund’ for football.

Robinson, though, would be more comfortable with Premier League clubs using their wealth to support the EFL.

The U’s head coach said: “It’s awfully difficult to lay it at the door of the government when there are a lot of things in a much worse state than ourselves.

“When you see the ludicrous amounts of money being spent in the Premier League right now it just goes to show the money’s still there and readily available.

“I’d feel a little bit uneasy if we have to be bailed out by the government.

“I think there’s a lot more opportunities in our industry than to go down that path first.”

Pressure on the Premier League has increased since the return of fans was delayed by up to six months in last week’s updated lockdown restrictions.

It means clubs will lose out on income from matchday ticket sales, a significant source of revenue for many of the EFL’s members.

The letter to the culture secretary says sides need to be compensated for the loss of gate receipts as it results from policies 'put in place by the government in response to a public health emergency'.

But Robinson believes EFL clubs should also be doing everything they can to help themselves, particularly with the new salary cap that limits Sky Bet League One clubs’ spending to £2.5m a season.

He said: “The figure we’ve all read is £200m to see the hole filled.

“I don’t think the hole should be completely filled, I think it should be supported.

“But people have to take responsibility – wasn’t the reason for the salary cap to reduce spending?

“I think it should fall at the door a little bit of the Premier League, but we also have to take responsibility of our own clubs.”