Three of the Premier League clubs opposed to Richard Scudamore’s proposed £5million bonus have been revealed.
Scudamore is stepping down as Premier League chief executive at the end of this year, drawing to a close a successful reign of almost 20 years.
As part of his farewell, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has put forward the idea of every Premier League club putting in £250,000 to give Scudamore a £5m pay-off for his services.
The plan has faced intense criticism from fans, supporter groups and numerous other circles, with the issue to be raised during Thursday’s meeting of the 20 top-flight chairman – the last of Scudamore’s rule.
The proposal could be – and really should be – blocked during the meeting, but The Times reports that Cardiff ‘have publicly confirmed that they would support the proposal’.
They add that three clubs – Fulham, Watford and Wolves – ‘are among’ those ‘thought to be opposed to the bonus’. A majority of 14 clubs is required for any proposal to go through.
Liverpool and Everton have also ‘come under political pressure to ensure they do not contribute’. The two clubs are ‘important in their local communities’, and the ‘political condemnation on Merseyside’ could see them retract any support.
