It left the sports pay-TV company one step closer to administration.

The Premier League will now sell its 46 live games for next season to the highest bidder. A decision is expected next week.

The move comes after last-ditch efforts to bail out the Irish company failed.

American tycoon Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries found Setanta had an outstanding VAT bill of up to £50million.

Administrators Deloitte could now be called in within days.

Setanta issued a statement last night saying it will “consider its options this weekend”.

It added: “In the meantime, Setanta’s sports channels continue on air.”

The broadcaster had already missed a £3million payment to the Scottish Premier League.

Setanta has around 1.2 million subscribers but it needs a reported 1.9 million to break even. Customer numbers have been hit by the recession.

For more go to thesun.co.uk

Setanta on the cusp of death is a post from: worldwormweb