Liverpool supporters union Spirit of Shankly slams 'shameful' £5m golden handshake for Richard Scudamore

Liverpool FC supporters union Spirit of Shankly have blasted plans for departing Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore to receive a £5million farewell bonus.

Scudamore is set to step down from his role in December, with Susanna Dinnage announced as his replacement on Tuesday.

It emerged earlier this week that a 'golden handshake' agreement worth £250,000 from each top-flight club had been put forward to mark his departure.

And that has been ratified at a meeting of Premier League clubs in London on Thursday, with the £5m sum set to be paid out in instalments over the next three years.

A joint statement has described the payments as recognition of Scudamore's "outstanding" contributions in 19 years with the Premier League and his ongoing work in an advisory capacity.

But Spirit of Shankly, who have led calls this week for the money to be instead donated to charitable causes, have slammed the decision.

A statement read: "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.

"Football is a wealthy sport. Those who operate within it at its most senior levels, regardless of competence, are rewarded well. Richard Scudamore has been well paid during the explosion in TV deals. He didn’t, and does not need, such an incredible amount as an additional reward.

"The Premier League might want to claim they are protecting their interests and the insider information Scudamore knows.

"But the talk throughout has been giving him a financial reward for the riches received. They’re using money from clubs whilst supporters are left having to plead and ask for any redistribution of such wealth.

"The clubs themselves hold the power in these meetings - it’s their league, their rules, their decisions. Today they’ve made decision they want to make. It’s clearly one rule for those at the top, and another for the rest of us.

"We will be talking to supporters about today’s decision and considering what, if any, next steps are to be taken.

"For now, 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."