Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has ordered the EFL to work harder and faster to resolve the financial crisis that threatens to engulf Derby County and force the club out of business within a few weeks.
The Government revealed Mr Huddleston has stepped in after MPs raised concerns in Parliament and rebuked the EFL for its lack of urgency, with time running out.
Former Foreign Secretary and Derby South MP, Margaret Beckett, insisted no one would ever forgive the Football League if they allowed the Rams to go under.
Derby 's administration process has stalled with no preferred bidder appointed
The EFL has given Derby a deadline of February 1 to prove it has the funds to complete the season, and it is believed to need about £5M.
But at the same time, two unresolved legal claims, from Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers, are acting as a barrier to the club securing a buyer and exiting administration.
It is these apparently conflicting positions that have infuriated, fans and political leaders.
Supporters and MPs fear time and money will run out for Derby County and the club, founded in 1884, will slide into liquidation, if the EFL's deadline is enforced without clearing the way for a buyer to come in.
Rams manager Wayne Rooney has grown frustrated with the slow progress of the bid
The risk of Derby going bust and the impact that would have on the city has alarmed political leaders in Derbyshire, who are now alive to the threat.
Conservative MP for Mid Derbyshire Pauline Latham, who secured the urgent question in the Commons that prompted yesterday's debate, said: 'Derby County Football Club cannot be allowed to be removed by the English Football League (EFL) on February 1.
'Is the minister convinced the EFL is acting fast enough to resolve the football debts issue before the deadline or will they extend it?'
The situation is desperate for Derby, which is facing a fire-sale of players to raise some additional funds to keep the lights on, if it cannot name a preferred bidder. Even then there is no guarantee of survival.
Culture minister Chris Philp, who was standing in for Mr Huddleston, said 'urgent pragmatism' was required from the governing body, the administrators (Quantuma) and the Rams.
He said: 'We do want to see the EFL work urgently and pragmatically and rapidly to resolve these outstanding issues which are in the way of a takeover by a new owner, who we hope can invest the money needed to turn the club around.
'He [sports minister Nigel Huddleston] is pressing the EFL very hard on these points.
'We should be clear that governance surrounding the administration of Derby County Football Club is a matter for the EFL, the administrator and the club.
'But the government takes a very close interest in this.'
Derby have been in administration since September after former owner Mel Morris ran up huge debts in a reckless gamble to gain promotion to the Premier League.
But rather than the riches of the top flight, Derby found themselves in hock, in administration and in a relegation battle after the league
