Harry Redknapp says scrapping relegation would be 'scandalous'
Page last updated at 14:27 GMT, Wednesday, 19 October 2011 15:27 UK
Redknapp has joined Sir Alex Ferguson in voicing his opposition to the idea
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says scrapping relegation from the Premier League would be "scandalous".
Redknapp also believes the influence of foreign owners will eventually see teams play some league matches overseas.
"How can you not have promotion and relegation?" he said. "It's scandalous.
"You can't have too many foreign owners coming in here wanting to change our game."
FOREIGN OWNERS
Continue reading the main story- Aston Villa (Randy Lerner, US)
- Blackburn (Venky's, India)
- Chelsea (Roman Abramovich, Russia)
- Fulham (Mohamed Al Fayed, Egypt)
- Liverpool (Fenway Sports Group, US)
- Manchester United (Glazer family, US)
- Manchester City (Sheikh Mansour, Abu Dhabi)
- Sunderland (Ellis Short, US)
- QPR (Tony Fernandes, Malaysia)
- *Arsenal's Stan Kroenke (US) is major shareholder
Earlier this week Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers' Association, said some foreign owners wanted to scrap relegation from the Premier League.
Redknapp said: "What is the league about? When the play-offs first came in in the Championship and the first and second divisions, people said we don't want the play-offs, but they have been a fantastic thing.
"It is competition, teams trying to stay up.
"What is more exciting than the last day of the season when teams are looking to stay up and win the championship? You have to have promotion and relegation."
There are nine foreign-owned Premier League clubs, while American businessman Stan Kroenke is the major shareholder at Arsenal.
Fourteen of the 20 top-flight clubs would have to agree to the idea should it be put forward. But even then the Football Association has the power to veto any proposal.
Earlier this week Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said scrapping relegation would be "suicide", while Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said he would pull his club out of the Premier League if it was brought in.
Three years ago the idea for teams to play at least one league match abroad was rejected by the FA.
Owners want to scrap Premier League relegation - Bevan
But recent Far Eastern tours by Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all drew huge crowds, reinforcing the commercial potential.
And Redknapp believes an overseas match is still on the agenda.
"Eventually, you will end up playing loads of games around the world," he said. "That will happen.
"They will take the games to where they want to play them. If you have owners from China, India, Russia, America, they will want to take their teams there to play. I can see that will happen.
"It is a world game so I can see that as a possibility. When you go to Asia now the support and following is amazing for the Premier League."
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See also
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Relegation idea stupid - Whelan
18 October 11Football
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Owners oppose Premier relegation
17 October 11Football
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Whelan hates 'scandalous' TV idea
13 October 11Football
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FA told to change or be changed
12 October 11Football
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Liverpool want breakaway TV deal
12 October 11Football
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Reds co-owner backs overseas game
05 November 10Liverpool
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