Imps chief hits out at new deal

Last updated : 10 May 2010 By BBC Sport

Lincoln City chairman Steff Wright has criticised the Premier League's revised parachute payments system which the Football League approved on Monday.Clubs relegated from the top flight will now receive £48m over four years, instead of £32m over two years.

Wright told BBC Lincolnshire: "It was a take it or leave it deal we were given.

"League One and League Two clubs felt the money should have been more fairly distributed throughout the Football League and that hasn't happened."

Wright added: "I think it's a massive disappointment. Fairness and equality have gone out of the window."

And he fears the system would create a second-level Premier League by stealth.

"In a few seasons' time the top of the Championship will be dominated by teams who've benefited from these parachute payments", he said.

"Nobody's arguing against the idea of more money coming down but it's the way that that will now distort the Football League.

"Instead of there being a problem between the clubs that have the money in the Premier League and the clubs without in the Championship, you now have that problem moved further down the league.

"It will make it more difficult for clubs like Lincoln to get promoted to League One and eventually find their way into the Championship."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport