Setanta's long-expected collapse was finally confirmed today, and more than 200 people will be made redundant.

The Premier League yesterday announced ESPN as Setanta's replacement for their live games, and the FA will now have to go through the same process.

Setanta were one year into a £150million four-year deal for the rights to FA Cup matches, England games and the Community Shield - and it is understood only £50million of this had been paid.

The FA have been adamant they will still be able to attract significant bids to limit serious damage to funding for grass-roots football.

Nevertheless, there was major unhappiness at Soho Square after the Premier League last week refused to allow Setanta any more time to secure a rescue package and pulled the plug on their rights to live matches for next season and 2010-13.

Deloitte have been appointed as administrators, and Setanta will soon cease to broadcast to the UK.

It is understood ITV will gain the rights for up to eight England away friendlies at a previously-agreed price, but all of Setanta's other rights will be up for grabs.

Neville Kahn, one of the joint administrators, said: "After a huge effort by the Setanta board, management team and its backers, it has not been possible to save the GB business - which will be wound down in due course."

Setanta had 1.2million subscribers and also had broadcast deals with the Scottish Premier League, the Blue Square Conference, cricket's Indian Premier League and golf's US PGA tour.

Kahn added: "This decision means that it will shortly cease broadcasting to its customers in Great Britain.

"However, the International and Ireland businesses continue to trade on air while we are in discussions with parties to take these businesses on as going concerns.

"Regrettably, approximately 200 employees will be made redundant in respect of the GB business. Setanta has today suspended the collection of subscription payments from customers in Great Britain.

"We can confirm that no further monthly subscriptions or direct debits will be accepted from customers of the UK business."

ESPN's success in winning the available Premier League games yesterday may mean that Sky are now keener on regaining the FA Cup and England matches they lost to Setanta.

Setanta said investors had been prepared to commit "substantial additional funds" but their cost-cutting measures and efforts to renegotiate the terms of their various deals were insufficient to ensure that the business could become profit-making.

Sir Robin Miller, chairman of Setanta, said: "This is a sad day for all concerned.

"Since its inspired inception a number of years ago, Setanta and its financial backers have invested hundreds of millions of pounds buying UK and international sports rights.

"With the hard work and dedication of its staff, a pay-TV broadcaster was created which entertained people in three million homes with top-class sport.

"Unfortunately, in a difficult and highly competitive market, and despite strenuous efforts by the board and management, it has not been possible to find sufficient additional funds in the time available to ensure its survival."

FA chief executive Ian Watmore expressed confidence in the value of the rights for England and FA Cup matches.

Watmore said: "Obviously it's very disappointing that Setanta have gone into administration - and we have every sympathy for all the staff, customers and football supporters affected.

"Unfortunately, while the FA were able to agree on a way forward with Setanta, this has not been possible, due to the problems they encountered in other areas of their business.

"The FA will now consider options to find the best platform to broadcast those fixtures contracted to Setanta. These include England home friendly matches, FA Cup ties, England Under-21s games and the FA Community Shield.

"We remain confident in the strength of these fixtures and expect significant interest from broadcasters wanting to pay for the rights to partner the FA and the England teams."