Portsmouth rescue ruled out by Scudamore

Richard Scudamore says Portsmouth is to blame for its own downfall

The boss of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore, has ruled out a financial rescue for stricken club Portsmouth.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Scudamore said Portsmouth's troubles were entirely down to financial mismanagement at the club.

And he rejected the suggestion that the league could be fairer in the way it distributed the money it gained from TV rights.

Portsmouth entered administration earlier this year.

It is now set to be relegated having incurred a nine-point penalty and, according to administrators, has debts totalling £120m.

Speaking on Radio 5 live, Mr Scudamore rejected the idea that the Premier League might throw Portsmouth a financial lifeline as "absolutely crazy", pointing out that the distribution of TV rights money already provided clubs with at least £30m per season.

"You cannot possibly link the distribution of our income with Portsmouth's woes," he said.

"If a Premier League club falls into administration it is down to bad management at the club.

"If you start the season knowing you are going to get between £30m and £50m as a starter fund from the Premier League… it is entirely possible to get yourself organised so that you don't get yourself into the difficulties that Portsmouth got into."

He added that the priority was to see Portsmouth survive as a football club.