Fury over donations for CEO’s cash gift

IT IS difficult to know what to get most angry about: the man who had the idea, the potential recipient or that some clubs are even contemplating it.

Bruce Buck, the Chelsea chairman, has asked all 20 Premier League clubs to donate £250,000 ($450,000) to Richard Scudamore, the outgoing Premier League chief executive, as a thank-you for his work. Whatever happened to some shop vouchers as a leaving gift?

If Scudamore — whose annual pay of £900,000 ($1.6 million) could reach £2.5 million ($4.5 million) with bonuses — has any self-awareness, you would hope he has quietly spoken to Buck and told him to cancel the idea, as it is anything but appropriate.

But, as yet, we have not heard from Scudamore.

We do know he is a man who came from humble beginnings in Bristol and, if he has not forgotten his roots, this will not sit easily with him. For Buck to even think this is acceptable smacks of someone out of touch with reality. At a time when supporters all over England are struggling to make ends meet, it is an obscene idea and should be treated with contempt by the other 19 Premier League clubs.

It has emerged that some are appalled and let it be known at an emergency meeting. One can only hope that Liverpool and Everton are at the front of the queue, thumping their fists on the table and demanding the rest see sense.

Scudamore, potentially, will be given £5 million ($8.98m).

Wouldn’t it be better spent supporting local communities?

It could provide coaching courses to thousands of volunteers who currently have to pay £170 ($300) to obtain FA Level 1 badges. How many bibs, balls and goals could clubs buy with a fraction of that money?

But if Scudamore does get his gift every club should be ashamed. Let’s hope there is a victory for common sense.