FORMER Bradford City managing director Shaun Harvey received a severance payment of more than £500,000 after leaving his role of English Football League chief executive, according to a report.

Harvey, who left his position with the league at the end of last season, received £511, 658 on top of his annual 2019 salary of £495,000, according to The Athletic.

The size of the package may come as a shock to supporters of EFL clubs, many of whom have criticised the league over a perceived failure to tackle rogue club owners or effectively intervene when a club experiences financial difficulty.

Harvey - who worked at Valley Parade under Geoffrey Richmond - was also criticised over the television deal struck with Sky Sports in November 2018, in particular by Championship clubs. A joint statement from unnamed clubs released at the time expressed "grave concerns" over the deal and claimed they were not consulted.

The EFL would not comment on the report about Harvey's severance package when contacted by the PA news agency.

The league's accounts are understood to be currently with the member clubs for approval, with the deadline for approval set at February 6.

Debbie Jevans has served as executive chair since Harvey's departure, with Burnley chief executive David Baldwin - who was previously CEO of the Bantams - due to take over as Harvey's permanent successor in June.