Perhaps this is a way to avoid their potential multi-million £fine if they get promoted this year. Need an accountant to explain how it would show in their accounts but if it effectively reduces their losses, then it could be quite a clever way of getting around the FFP rules.
The accounting entries are as follows:
On getting the loan: cash balance up, creditor (Barclays) created. No P&L effect.
Interest: P&L cost as each interest installment falls due, cash down.
Repayment of loan: cash balance down, creditor balance reduced. No P&L effect.
If the loan is paid off as per the agreed schedule, the only P&L effect is the interest.
If payments are missed, the interest rate charged will go up (as you have proved yourself to be a dodgy risk) and there will almost certainly be large fees associated with the debt restructuring. Such fees should also be a P&L charge, but are sometimes added to the loan (which, of course, further increases the interest).