READING FC were among the English Football League board members to agree a controversial new Sky Sports deal that is incurring the wrath of several rival Championship clubs.

Directors from Royals, Brentford and Bristol City joined the rest of the EFL board in unanimously voting through the proposal on Monday.

The £595m, five-year contract with Sky is a 35% increase on the previous deal that expires at the end of this season.

But a host of ‘rebel’ clubs say they were not fully consulted and believe it massively undervalues Championship games.

It is believed seven Championship clubs met at Villa Park last night to voice their grave concerns and form a united front.

Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, West Brom, Stoke, Preston and Aston Villa – most of whom boast bigger attendances than some top-flight clubs – are said to be leading the revolt.

A statement from “several unnamed clubs” who felt they had been “ignored” said: “Nineteen clubs from the league wrote to the EFL asking them not to sign the deal and to engage in meaningful discussions.

“Championship clubs are gravely concerned that the EFL board has announced it has approved a new long-term domestic broadcasting rights deal.

"Our issues are not with Sky, who we respect and value, but with the way in which the proposed agreement has been negotiated and explained to clubs.

“We remain convinced that any solution to the broadcasting of EFL competitions can only be on the basis of protecting attendances and securing the financial position of all our 72 clubs.

"There is a calm determination within Championship clubs to ensure the matter is not left here.”

The new, Sky contract covers the Championship, League One and League Two and is split between all 72 clubs depending on the division they are in.

Sky Sports will now show 138 live EFL matches per season including the play-offs, as well as the Carabao Cup final.

But opposition clubs feel matchday revenue and attendances could be affected as more games are likely to be shown on the red button or via Sky’s website.

They also warn the new deal could harm their own ability to boost revenue through live streaming.

However, the proposals were sanctioned this week by the nine-member EFL board including a representative from Reading as it provides lower-division clubs with certain degree of financial security.

In stark contrast, the Premier League’s three-year deal with Sky and BT Sports is worth a staggering £4.55bn, with Amazon also paying an undisclosed sum for a separate package of games.

EFL interim chairman Debbie Jevans said on Monday: “The EFL board is satisfied that the right deal for the EFL and its clubs has been reached.”

Reading FC declined to comment this morning when approached by the Reading Chronicle.

The new Sky Sports deal includes:

• 138 league games per season.

• Minimum of 20 games from League One and League Two.

• 12 EFL play-off semi-final games.

• All three play-off finals from Wembley.

• 15 Carabao Cup games including the final.

• Checkatrade Trophy semi-finals and final.