LONDON: Premier League ceo Richard Scudamore has hailed the strength in depth of the competition on the closing day of the season.

Scudamore said: “Chelsea are worthy winners and the hallmark of the season has been the competitiveness and the integrity of each match which is the most important thing.

“Every game is a tough game. Of course we would like some European success for our clubs but but the grounds are full, the games are exciting and competitive.

“We’ve had three different winners of the league in three years and no other major league can say that . . .in terms of occupancy and global audience we’re doing something right.”

On the England debate, Scudamore expressed confidence that more home-grown players would emerge in future years through the work being undertaken in the academies.

He said greater investment in youth development was the basis for more home-grown players rather than the artificiality of rules as suggested by the Football Association.

FIFA view

As for the imminent FIFA presidential election, Scudamore expressed a belief in the need for change but did not expect to see anything beyond the re-election of Sepp Blatter.

He said: “[I anticipate] four more years of the same. Quite often we are frustrated with some of the decisions.

“We don’t think much will change. We will carry on almost irrespective of what goes on FIFA and have to make do with whatever decisions they make.

“I do think it’s time for change and the fact it doesn’t look like there is a strong [opposing] candidate is a shame.”

Scudamore accepted that Premier League clubs were working on bringing access for wheelchair fans up to legal requirements.

He said: “We are going to do this piece of work and get clubs to move as far as they realistically can.”

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