Richard Scudamore: Departing Premier League chief to accept £5m ‘golden handshake’, sparking fury
All 20 clubs were asked to contribute to a whip-round for the outgoing chief, whose salary is around £900,000, with the money being paid over three years, while he will also be retained in a consultancy advisory role
Richard Scudamore WILL accept his proposed £5m send off from the Premier League - sparking widespread criticism from supporters groups.
The Premier League on Thursday agreed to pay their departing executive chairman the leaving gift in recognition of his "outstanding work" over the past two decades.
The money will be paid over three years and will depend on the 59-year-old agreeing to a "comprehensive set of non-compete clauses" in terms of the roles he takes on in the future.
It will also demand his availability as an adviser to his successor Susanna Dinnage.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and West Ham co-owner David Gold were among those to speak publicly in support of the deal, which has been met less than favourably by fans' groups.
Spirit of Shankly, a Liverpool supporters' group, said on its website: "The pay-off to Richard Scudamore is shameful.
"However the Premier League and clubs try to dress up today's decision, most supporters will look at it and think only one thing - greed.
"The initial suggestion that clubs would each put in a quarter of a million pounds was rightly met with derision and anger. Whilst supporters have tribal loyalties, this issue united all in condemnation.
"Those involved in today's decision should spend some time on their journey home quietly reflecting on the damage done. They should hang their heads in shame."
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The Football Supporters' Federation voiced its objection to each of the league's 20 clubs contributing £250,000 to Scudamore's 'golden goodbye' on Thursday, prior to the Premier League's announcement, urging clubs not to back the "hugely unpopular" deal.
In a statement, the Premier League said the pay-off deal was decided upon by its audit and remuneration committee and "supported and endorsed by the clubs", whose bosses were in London on Thursday for a Premier League shareholders' meeting.
Scudamore earns a reported £900,000 salary plus bonus of £1.6 million and is believed to have earned £26m during his time with the organisation.
The Premier League's UK television rights were valued at about £670m when Scudamore joined in 1999, while the most recent deal was worth £5.14bn.
In addition to his lucrative exit bonus, The Times report that the 59-year-old is set to receive a New Year honour in recognition for his work at the Premier League.