Setanta has until Friday to repay the reported £30 million it owes the Premier League or it will lose the right to broadcast games next season.

The league today threatened to sell the rights to the 46 games Setanta is due to show from August if the payment is not made.

The Irish broadcaster has been struggling to make a series of payments but received some welcome news last week when Access Industries, controlled by the US investor Len Blavatnik, tabled a £20 million bid for a 51 per cent share in the company.

However, the loss of Premier League rights would be devastating to Setanta and could see thousands of customers cancel their subscriptions.

At present Setanta has around 1.2 million subscribers, but apparently needs the figure to reach 1.9 million just to break even.

On Monday the Premier League said with Setanta’s agreement bids had been invited to broadcast the 46 games as a precaution.

A statement declared: “In view of the shortage of time before the start of next season, the Premier League has determined, with the agreement of Setanta, that it shall today issue its invitation to tender in respect of the 46 UK live matches for the 2009/10 season only.

“The bid deadline has been set for Monday June 22nd, but we will give all prospective bidders notice late on Friday June 19th, if Setanta have met their conditions, thereby negating the need for bids to be submitted.”