Scudamore embarrassed by £5m send-off

RICHARD Scudamore is understood to be embarrassed by a plan to give him a £5 million send-off when he stands down as Premier League executive chairman.

The idea emerged shortly before the league called an emergency general meeting to announce Scudamore’s replacement, TV executive Susanna Dinnage.

Dinnage was chosen after a recruitment process led by the league’s nominations committee, which is chaired by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, who also chairs the league’s audit and remuneration committee.

It is understood that Buck believes Scudamore deserves a farewell bonus after 20 years of negotiating the league’s inflation-busting broadcast deals and he has informally suggested that each club contribute £250,000 to the pot.

Buck had hoped this could be agreed on Tuesday, but the largely negative public response to the idea appears to have poured cold water over a decision until today’s scheduled Premier League shareholders’ meeting in London.

Support for the idea did come from Cardiff chief executive Ken Choo who told BBC Wales that his club are happy to chip in.

“He has moved the Premier League on to another level. He deserves the recognition,” said Choo.

The league has also declined to comment but it is understood that Scudamore, who has earned more than £26m since 1999, was unaware of the plan and is disappointed it took the spotlight off Dinnage.

He has rejected more lucrative job offers in the past, most notably the chance to run the global sports management company IMG.