Foreign owners 'want to scrap relegation system'

Some foreign owners of Premier League clubs want to scrap relegation and promotion to the top flight, according to League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan.

Bevan fears that if more teams fall into foreign hands, they could succeed in forcing through a vote to abolish relegation.

The LMA chief executive is hoping that can be prevented by the recent parliamentary inquiry into football governance, which recommended the Football Association adopt a licensing system for clubs.

Speaking at the Professional Players Federation conference in London, Bevan said: "We're very keen that the recent DCMS report is successful in helping the FA get to a stage where they've got a licensing programme for clubs.

"Because there are a number of overseas-owned clubs already talking about bringing about the avoidance of promotion and relegation in the Premier League.

"If we have four or five more new owners, that could happen."