The Premier League's top six clubs warned the rest of the top flight today that voting to curtail the season on health grounds could set a precedent which would lead to the 2020/21 campaign also being scrapped.
In a longer than usual conference call of the 20 clubs that lasted almost four hours a clear divide emerged between the biggest clubs and the rest, many of whom voiced reservations about the Premier League's Project Restart plan than would involve resuming the season next month with matched played at a limited number of neutral grounds.
Sportsmail has learned that the meeting ended with a rallying cry from Premier League officials emphasising their determination to finish the season, with a tentative kick-off date of Friday 12 June, but only after a series of disagreements.
Representatives from several top six clubs are understood to have made the point that delaying the resumption until a vaccine for Covid-19 has been found would almost certainly lead to next season being cancelled too as that breakthrough could be as far as 18 months away, a drastic step which could bankrupt the entire sport and other related industries.
The Premier League will hold another meeting next Friday, which could culminate in a vote of the clubs on whether return, the day after the government are due to publish their lockdown exit strategy.
The clubs keenest to resume also argued that many of the legitimate health concerns expressed by their rivals, such as the danger of the virus being passed between players and safety concerns about mass crowds gathering outside closed stadiums are still likely to apply later in the year.
As a result they argued that if a way can be found to hold training and matches safely with government blessing they should do so as soon as possible, whilst stressing that the safety of players and staff was their priority.
The Premier League remain committed to finishing the campaign and briefed the clubs on their plans for ensure they can do so, including detailed return-to-training protocols and plans for the resumption of matches. The Premier League want to complete the existing fixture list as it stood before the shutdown, but with all games taking place at five or six regional hubs.
Instead of using Wembley or St George's Park as had been discussed the preferred option is to use a select number of Premier League stadia, although clubs would be prevented from playing at their own grounds to avoid giving them an advantage.
The Premier League has commissioned a study to identify grounds that are most likely to be deemed 'bio-secure,' with the focus falling on those outside densely populated areas such as the Amex Stadium near Brighton, Southampton's St Mary's, the London Stadium which is fairly isolated when the adjacent Westfield Shopping Centre is closed and the Etihad Stadium on the outskirts of Manchester.
The proposal to use neutral venues is among the most controversial elements of Project Restart however, with clubs in most danger of being relegated vehemently opposed as they are reluctant to sacrifice home advantage ahead of crucial games that could cost them £200m if they go down.
Other issues discussed at length included the importance of clamping down on spitting during both training and matches, leading to one suggestion to make it a yellow card offence.
In a statement the Premier League confirmed they are committed to completing the season whilst maintaining the integrity of the competition.
'At a meeting of Premier League Shareholders today, clubs discussed possible steps towards planning to resume the 2019/20 season, when it is safe and appropriate to do so,' it read.
'It was reiterated that the thoughts of all are with those directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the Premier League's priority is the health and safety of players, coaches, managers, club staff, supporters and the wider community.
'The League and clubs are considering the first tentative moves forward and will only return to training and playing with Government guidance, under expert medical advice and after consultation with players and managers. The League welcomed the creation of the Government medical working group for a return of elite sport, which met for the first time this morning.
'No decisions were taken at today's Shareholders' meeting and clubs exchanged views on the information provided regarding Project Restart. It was agreed that the PFA, LMA, players and managers are key to this process and will be further consulted.
'The clubs reconfirmed their commitment to finishing the 2019/20 season, maintaining integrity of the competition and welcomed the Government's support.'