Premier League chief: Only the top four matter

This is a fucking disgrace!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=470886&in_page_id=1779

Premier League chief: Only the top four matter

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore shrugged off fears that the big four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have made English football too predictable — because it keeps the fans in the Far East happy.

While supporters here are increasingly frustrated that the fight for the Premiership has become a moneydriven, foregone conclusion with each passing season — and the rich simply getting richer — last night Scudamore insisted such a scenario is good news for the game's profile abroad.

Speaking from Hong Kong, where free-spending Liverpool are competing with unfashionable Fulham and Portsmouth in the Asia Trophy, Scudamore dismissed concerns back home about the predictable nature of the Premiership title race.

He likened the dominance of the socalled big four to that of Tiger Woods in golf or Roger Federer in tennis, saying: "The talk about only certain teams being able to win the Premier League is a bit of a domestic phenomenon. In Asia, it is almost completely the opposite.

"The fans here are excited by the fact it is the clubs they have heard of who are winning. It is like the Tiger Woods or Roger Federer factor.

"People may want other players to win the major championships, but when those two do it there is more interest."

Scudamore's words are likely to infuriate loyal fans of those sides seen as second and third tier. Barring a solitary crown for Blackburn Rovers in 1995, United, Chelsea and Arsenal have dominated the Premiership title race ever since the League's inception 15 years ago.

But with domestic and overseas television contracts set to earn the Premier League almost £2billion over the next three years, the financial health of the game in England has become paramount for those in charge, even if the trickle-down of wealth has not seen the silverware spread among the lesser lights.

Scudamore is clearly keen to expand the Premier League's enormous profile further in Asia, even if the potential markets are only interested in watching the glamour sides on their television screens.

He added: "It is stating the obvious, but the Asian market have to consume most of their Premier League football very remotely, via TV. But the one thing that strikes anyone who comes out here is the fact the fans have an absolutely intense interest and knowledge in our domestic football.

"I know some people in England would say true fans are the ones who travel to an away game on a wet November night. But the people in Asia are just as fanatical about their football.

"It is a positive thing for all of us when we take an opportunity to give them a chance to touch and feel what they see on their television screens all year."

Scudamore was forced to admit that barring a shock, the army of fans in Asia — just like those back home — are likely to see yet another four-horse race for the Premiership title and Champions League slots.

He said: "It does matter that our League is competitive. Nobody is talking about a one-club league any more. The question is, how many more do you add into the mix?

"Liverpool are clearly having a go and you can never write Arsenal off. Who knows, at some point there may be a surprise and another club may force their way into the gang of four?"
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This twat symbolizes everything that is wrong with the premiership! He should be forced to resign over this!

I can't believe he openly admits his preference given his position in the league administration.

It's no secret the league wants its big 4 to finish top 4 no matter what. I know that, you know that, most people know that as well.

If I'm the head honcho at Tottenham, Newcastle etc, I'd demand heads to roll. They probably won't be removed, but at least they are warned. You wanna play ball, I play ball fuckos.

He spoke the truth and said nothing controversial. What difference does it make? Its not like he's saying that he doesn't want competition, he's just saying that at present the situation is working well for the far east market, which it is.

His job is to make sure the EPL is financially sound kimbo, not to support all clubs equallly. Its like any business - you don't see CEO's in other companies trying to innappropriately finance unsuccessful elements of a business - you concentrate on the sectors that makes the sales! thats his bleeding job!

The financial package as it presently is is fine I think - the big four has only come about as a consequence of other teams inability to form a decent squad - its already been proven that you have a bigger net spend than us

Tweedle wrote:

He spoke the truth and said nothing controversial. What difference does it make? Its not like he's saying that he doesn't want competition, he's just saying that at present the situation is working well for the far east market, which it is.

His job is to make sure the EPL is financially sound kimbo, not to support all clubs equallly. Its like any business - you don't see CEO's in other companies trying to innappropriately finance unsuccessful elements of a business - you concentrate on the sectors that makes the sales! thats his bleeding job!

The financial package as it presently is is fine I think - the big four has only come about as a consequence of other teams inability to form a decent squad - its already been proven that you have a bigger net spend than us

We know how he does it don't we. The Mancs, you, then Chelsea, and last Liverpool get all the calls. You don't see a penalty get called against the Mancs for instance.

Tweedle wrote:

He spoke the truth and said nothing controversial. What difference does it make? Its not like he's saying that he doesn't want competition, he's just saying that at present the situation is working well for the far east market, which it is.

His job is to make sure the EPL is financially sound kimbo, not to support all clubs equallly. Its like any business - you don't see CEO's in other companies trying to innappropriately finance unsuccessful elements of a business - you concentrate on the sectors that makes the sales! thats his bleeding job!

The financial package as it presently is is fine I think - the big four has only come about as a consequence of other teams inability to form a decent squad - its already been proven that you have a bigger net spend than us

This is supposed to be a SPORT Tweedle, you can't have the authorities saying they prefer some clubs to do well over others. If it comes down to the last day and we are in with a chance of 4th spot, but then a penalty is mysteriously given against us, i'll know who to blame. I wouldn't be surprised if it was them that poisoned Spurs' lasangne. This twat has admitted that the money from the far east matters more to him that the competitiveness of the league, i saw this article on nufc-online and all the none top 4 fans(there's a few Villa, Citeh fans etc) are going bananas!!!

Tweedle, we've spent £1.7m net so far this summer, you have spent more. Also i wouldn't mind knowing how much all these youngsters that arrive every summer cost, the fees aren't announced as "undisclosed" for no reason.

@ Puro

Penalties have been given against Manchester United last season , which Jose Mourinho fails to see

remember Adebayors miss last season at Old Trafford , Vassell's miss and Baines scoring at Old Trafford

The problem is , players aren't foolish enough to give away a penalty .. at times

The is no conspiracy

Kimbo wrote:Tweedle, we've spent £1.7m net so far this summer, you have spent more. Also i wouldn't mind knowing how much all these youngsters that arrive every summer cost, the fees aren't announced as "undisclosed" for no reason.

We've made quite a healthy profit on our transfers this summer (unfortunately). Anyway that is an entirely different matter. I think it is a shame that we have people like this in charge of our game. Money is the only thing that matters to people like him, which is why he is so in favour of foreign individuals owning our clubs.

Kimbo wrote:
This is supposed to be a SPORT Tweedle, you can't have the authorities saying they prefer some clubs to do well over others. If it comes down to the last day and we are in with a chance of 4th spot, but then a penalty is mysteriously given against us, i'll know who to blame. I wouldn't be surprised if it was them that poisoned Spurs' lasangne. This twat has admitted that the money from the far east matters more to him that the competitiveness of the league, i saw this article on nufc-online and all the none top 4 fans(there's a few Villa, Citeh fans etc) are going bananas!!!

He didn't say that he personally preferred one club over another - he said that the 'big 4' outcomes in the EPL in the last few years has been good for the Asian market, which it has! He's not saying that he's going to go out of his way to keep it like that though.

Tweedle, we've spent £1.7m net so far this summer, you have spent more. Also i wouldn't mind knowing how much all these youngsters that arrive every summer cost, the fees aren't announced as "undisclosed" for no reason.

Henry sold for 16.5m
Muamba sold for £3m
Larsson sold for £1.5m
Ljungberg sold for £3m

Eduardo bought for £7m
Sagna bought for £6m
Fabianski bought for £2m
Norwegian guy bought for £1m

Thats all we have bought, no undisclosed fees on top of that.

So thats a net spend of MINUS £8m!!!!

Raifael wrote:@ Puro

Penalties have been given against Manchester United last season , which Jose Mourinho fails to see

remember Adebayors miss last season at Old Trafford , Vassell's miss and Baines scoring at Old Trafford

The problem is , players aren't foolish enough to give away a penalty .. at times

The is no conspiracy

I'm with Mourinho on this one. Much the same way how me and him view Pizarro. Jose's no dummy.

All I know is IF his NFL counterpart comes out all STUPID like that saying "we are all happy to see that the Cowboys, Steelers, Raiders, 49ers keep winning, and everyone is happy to see that. We work towards maintaining this success"...

There would be RIOTS. TRUE STORY!

Luckily you, you've got assets that you can offload for millions, then at the end of window you can point at you profit margins and brag about how efficient your club is. I don't see what this has to do with anything though.


Honestly i don't know how you can say his attitude is ok, he's saying it is a good thing how uncompetitive our league is because it makes the league lots of money. He thinks it's a good thing that the top 4 are staying at the top, gaining tens of millions of glory hunting, replica shirt buying, fans in the far east.

He says "the people in Asia are just as fanatical about their football", bollocks, they're fanatical about the top 4!

Puro wrote:

Raifael wrote:@ Puro

Penalties have been given against Manchester United last season , which Jose Mourinho fails to see

remember Adebayors miss last season at Old Trafford , Vassell's miss and Baines scoring at Old Trafford

The problem is , players aren't foolish enough to give away a penalty .. at times

The is no conspiracy

I'm with Mourinho on this one. Much the same way how me and him view Pizarro. Jose's no dummy.

I disagree , Mourinho is a good coach .. but at times he makes hilarious blunders like predicting on what day Chelsea would win the Premiership in the 2005/06 season .. btw , Chelsea was given less penalties against them than Man United last season.

Richard Scudamore

Comparing it to Tiger Woods is bollocks. Golf is much more unpredictable than the prem. Tiger hasn't won any of this years 3 major championships. This Scudamore guy is a twat.

L.r.d wrote: Richard Scudamore

I know he's your guy LRD.

I'm telling you, IF he had been an NFL guy saying that shite, he'd be cleaning up his desk the same evening. He's gone, gone gone.

Here's waiting to see what the owners of Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Blackburn etc etc are gonna do about this now.

I don't agree with him that its good, but he is certainly right. The Asian market isn't really an underdog fan, its not in their mentality - they like to see the big teams win win win....

I agree with Tweedle on this one, he is only explaining the effects it has had in terms of marketing in the Asian market.

I don't see the problem, having only quickly read through (because im at work) i haven't been able to completely analyse what he has said.

I don't think he'd particularly care if the top 4 broke up, infact he probably encourages teams such as Pompey and Fulham to attend competitions such as the Asia Cup, as it creates further awareness to the premiership.

What I don't read 'i never want the top 4 to break up, for financial purposes of the league'

It's clearly nonsense.

After all, without the cannon fodder to play it's be a short season.

The other 16 clubs are vital to maintaining the marketing position of the top 4 - as long as they don't start getting uppity I'm all for the 'little 16'

the guy should resign

it's a scandal

our own DFB President said that SChalke "deserved to win" the title after waiting for over 50 years

Stuttgart fans were FURIOUS and he had to apologise

the FA need a Code of Conduct

maybe ballack can give them a hand once he is finished

Ballacks almost finished doing this one, so he can head on over ASAP

otto hat Euch alle lieb wrote:the guy should resign

it's a scandal

our own DFB President said that SChalke "deserved to win" the title after waiting for over 50 years

Stuttgart fans were FURIOUS and he had to apologise

the FA need a Code of Conduct

maybe ballack can give them a hand once he is finished

We all know how the Germans get offended very easily over small things, like Jews.

Again could you extrapolate a sentence or sentences which inequivically states he wants the top 4 to remain on top for financial purposes.

There is absolutely nothing wrong in his comments.

Read the actual quotes he's made rather then have it distorted by the article body itself and you'll realize he's not saying the topic title at all. All he is saying is that Asian fans want to see the most famous win, which is probably true. That you don't like the truth is irrelevant.

Keep whinging though, it keeps you happy

Solidus wrote:There is absolutely nothing wrong in his comments.

Read the actual quotes he's made rather then have it distorted by the article body itself and you'll realize he's not saying the topic title at all. All he is saying is that Asian fans want to see the most famous win, which is probably true. That you don't like the truth is irrelevant.

Keep whinging though, it keeps you happy

It's what geordies do

He's wrong.

It's a big 3 league

I dont know if his comments mean much. At most hes saying that Premier League chiefs want the league to be popular and successful in many countries, which is obvious, and its also obvious that the leagues biggest clubs have the most fans overseas. If there is any top four bias, I dont think this comment reveals it - it says nothing we dont already know. And he at least tries to be pro-competition in the last two bits, though he does cleary recognise the top four as a group.

The top 4 are only a group because there's 4 CL places. When (if?) M Platini gets his way it will be a big 3 league.

Roger Hunt wrote:The top 4 are only a group because there's 4 CL places. When (if?) M Platini gets his way it will be a big 3 league.

If Platini gets his way i'll eat my feet! The G14 run the champions league, and they want 4 places for England, Spain, and Italy - so that's how it's going to stay.

He'll be gutted then when Spurs win the league this season

Puro wrote:

Raifael wrote:@ Puro

Penalties have been given against Manchester United last season , which Jose Mourinho fails to see

remember Adebayors miss last season at Old Trafford , Vassell's miss and Baines scoring at Old Trafford

The problem is , players aren't foolish enough to give away a penalty .. at times

The is no conspiracy

I'm with Mourinho on this one. Much the same way how me and him view Pizarro. Jose's no dummy.

Why would you side with Mourinho on an issue where he is factually wrong? Just to maintain your anti-English, kill da white man uppity Perunigger stance?

Why don't you f@ck off with Otto back to dipshit land. You can sit around blathering on about how you are a shining example of positive discrimination and how he's the best thing that ever happened to England...

TeamSpirituality wrote:

Puro wrote:

Raifael wrote:@ Puro

Penalties have been given against Manchester United last season , which Jose Mourinho fails to see

remember Adebayors miss last season at Old Trafford , Vassell's miss and Baines scoring at Old Trafford

The problem is , players aren't foolish enough to give away a penalty .. at times

The is no conspiracy

I'm with Mourinho on this one. Much the same way how me and him view Pizarro. Jose's no dummy.

Why would you side with Mourinho on an issue where he is factually wrong? Just to maintain your anti-English, kill da white man uppity Perunigger stance?

Why don't you f@ck off with Otto back to dipshit land. You can sit around blathering on about how you are a shining example of positive discrimination and how he's the best thing that ever happened to England...

Haven't laughed so hard in my life, comedic value 10/10 your on fire today Saints.