Peterborough chairman gives detailed explanation on last week's EFL meeting involving Portsmouth, Sunderland, Coventry, Rotherham and Ipswich

The Irishman took to Twitter on Thursday to issue a statement on behalf of the Posh, Pompey, Oxford, Sunderland, Ipswich and Fleetwood.

He revealed the League One heavy-hitters had formed a six-strong collective who were determined to finish the 2019-20 season.

There was no definitive outcome when clubs assembled the following day, with the EFL board due to meet today for further discussions, while a vote on various scenarios could take place later this week.

MacAnthony, who's been viewed as the villain by some teams who want the campaign to finish now, lifted the lid on what was discussed by the 23 third-tier clubs.

Writing on Twitter, he said: ‘So much vitriol on here from one set of fans over last few days. Irony is they have no need to be aiming it this way. In time they will realise that. Just a few transparent points to clarify as facts are better than fiction or speculation.

‘In the EFL meeting last week there was no talk of a vote that day, there were no raised voices, nobody laying the law down. Just all clubs having their voices heard regardless of size. Talks about current season & future season & issues we all face financially.

‘The appetite for most in the top half was to play our season out. Majority of other half had no desire to play due to finances which is understandable in current pandemic from their point of view.

‘Ideas were thrown around on how top half can play games to decide fair way to finish which allowed the clubs not wanting to play to get on with not stressing over contract extensions or financial side of starting up again.

‘EFL chairman said let’s all think about it and come up creative ideas to finish the season.

‘For the top half the financial implications of not playing again in some way versus cost of playing was large with potential refunds on so many things hence importance of hearing both sides of our league and its clubs

“I am OK being portrayed as some sort of lone wolf villain, but truth is there are more clubs then just me who feel football needs to return for them & everybody involved of course have looked at all options including legal ones as they are large businesses with shareholders’ financial responsibilities that make it the right and prudent thing to do.

‘There is no one-size-fits-all solution that suits all clubs, but compromises could/should be found. We are all “football” clubs & our product is football & with potential green light by government coming for football returning many clubs wanted to get back to playing football in any situation that allows it/in safe professionally advised way.

‘None of this is holding up other clubs planning for future even if hibernation is their plan. Even if our season finished two weeks ago there is no set date for new season/details on immediate horizon due to what’s going on in the world so this idea of clubs wanting to get on with ‘planning’ is just not true or feasible.

‘For weeks I have advocated for football to resume when safe to do so, but also I have engaged with EFL directly about ideas on how to raise the funds necessary to help all football clubs through this crisis as after 15 years in the EFL.

‘I don’t want to see anymore clubs go under. This is still my main goal regardless of some of the nonsense levied at me.

‘Furloughs won’t last forever. Football with/without fans will happen as shown in other countries. Hibernation in my opinion won’t be an option for clubs contracted to play football with TV deals in place/contracts with players in place.

‘Our club employs a large number of non-footballing staff who are in £18k-£35k per year bracket. One of the goals of me/partners is to ensure when furlough ends that we don’t lose any of these people because of this crisis. I am a football fan like majority of people on here.

‘If some club fans/forums want to make me out to be the bad guy then have at it, but I am a football person with a love for our game & worry that without playing football when allowed, then what do we have left? I am thick skinned to take the criticism if fair/balanced or if the views are different from mine.

‘But to accuse me of being greedy is another irony considering in 15 years in football I have not made a pound note from our beautiful game.

‘Some won’t admit it, but truth is that you would want me fighting your corner in a crisis & my ‘football’ club & its employees have told me to fight for their jobs long term. I will always do that regardless of criticism/public perception. For now I have said my piece & will get on with fighting for ‘football’ long term.

‘This horrible virus will be defeated, normality will come back & our beautiful game will be back.

‘Our EFL will find a way to help us through the hard period financially & I long for the days of getting trolled for football results & opinions on transfers. Love to you all.’