Source: Team_Talk
DW blasts 'stupid suggestion'
Dave Whelan insists he would pull Wigan out of the Premier League if promotion and relegation was scrapped in the English top flight.[LNB] League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan on Monday claimed the American and Asian owners of top-flight sides are keen on a franchising model. [LNB]But even if they did gain the two thirds majority needed to win a vote of Premier League clubs on the matter, the league's own rules dictate Football Association permission would also be required.[LNB]The idea has already been described as "suicide" by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Whelan insists he would not want to be involved in the league if such changes were brought in.[LNB]"It's the most stupid suggestion I've ever heard in my life," Whelan told talkSPORT. "If it was to happen I would resign Wigan from the Premier League and go back and play in the Football League.[LNB]"It's a worrying thought that if we get 14 or 15 foreign owners (in the Premier League), they come up with some mad idea and it gets voted through. It would ruin and kill English football.[LNB]"It's got to be competitive, every club has got to have that ambition to get to the Premier League, that's why our league is so good. It's an appalling suggestion. It would ruin and kill English football."[LNB]Ferguson said on Monday: "I don't see where the end product comes in.[LNB]"There are at least eight teams in the Championship at the moment with great history.[LNB]"What do you say to those eight teams, they can never play in the Premier League?[LNB]"You may as well lock the doors. It would be absolute suicide for the rest of the teams in the country, particularly the Championship."[LNB]Meanwhile, Blackburn's owners have denied reports they would vote in favour of changes to the current system.[LNB]It had been suggested that with foreign ownership growing in England's top flight that there could be enough support from owners to attempt to change the format for the league. [LNB]Blackburn are owned by Indian poultry giant Venky's, however, co-owner Venkatesh Rao insists the club are not looking to tinker with the quality or excitement on offer. [LNB]Rao states that Blackburn are 'fully supportive' and 'committed' to the current format of the Premier League. [LNB]"In response to recent stories in the media, Venkys wish to clarify its position with regards to the current competition rules of the English Premier League," read a Blackburn statement. [LNB]"Our decision to buy a Premier League Football Club was heavily influenced by the quality, competitiveness and exciting nature of what we believe to be the best league in the world. [LNB]"We also believe that the EPL's success is, in large parts, down to its ability to create such excitement for all who follow it, fans, players and staff and of course we the Owners. [LNB]"We see no reason why anybody would feel it necessary to change the current format of the competition and are proud and privileged to be a part of such a great League. [LNB]"We remain fully supportive and committed to the Premier League, its format and its successes and hope to be a part of it for many years to come."
