Dinnage ‘no’ stuns Premier League

THE Premier League were left humiliated last night after Susanna Dinnage changed her mind about becoming their chief executive.

Dinnage, below, was set to become the most powerful figure in UK sport, having last month agreed to succeed Richard Scudamore and take up the £2million-ayear post in 2019, but has instead performed a stunning U-turn.

Dinnage contacted Premier League bosses to inform them she had changed her mind and was no longer interested.

No reason has been given for the shock decision, although she is rumoured to have received a lucrative offer to stay in her current post as global president of Animal Planet.

The Premier League released a statement that read: “Susanna Dinnage has advised the nominations committee she will not be taking up the position of chief executive. The committee has reconvened its search.”

The news is a huge embarrassment for the Premier League, who will now have to draw up a revised shortlist of new candidates and could turn to TV executives Tim Davie or Tom Betts.

After accepting the job last month, Dinnage said: “I am excited at the prospect of taking on this fantastic role. The Premier League means so much to so many.”

The plan was for Dinnage to take up the position in early 2019, with Scudamore helping her ease into the role.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, who helped lead the recruitment process, called Dinnage “the outstanding choice” from a “strong field”.