The chairman and chief executive of the Football League today paid the price for the ITV Digital fiasco when they both resigned.
Keith Harris and David Burns had been under pressure since August 1 when a High Court judge ruled Carlton and Granada were not liable for the £178.5million owed to the League by their now defunct joint venture ITV Digital.
Harris made the announcement at a meeting of the League's board of directors at a London hotel after Burns had issued a statement, which read: "I have today by mutual agreement terminated my employment with the Football League.
Burns defended his record as chief executive, pointing out that the controversial deal was brokered before he took up the post.
He added: "Throughout my 21 months as chief executive, I have worked tirelessly to improve the League's position commercially and politically, to raise and enhance its public image and to ensure fair media representation.
"A great deal of progress has been made and I leave behind a talented and dynamic executive team capable of taking the League forward well into the future.
"When I joined the League, the ITV Digital contract - the subject of the recent high court legal action - was already in place, having been finalised by the previous administration."
Harris said: "I said on Sunday it would improve my lifestyle if I walkedaway. I could no longer concentrate on full-time roles I have elsewhere and nowI am available to do that.
"I have a huge love of football and someone with some business experience like myself could be a valuable addition but the emotional and time commitment required is huge."
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