Blatter fears Premier League ´damage´

FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes the dominance of the Premier League’s big four – Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal – is proving unhealthy for competition.

Since the formation of the Premier League in 1992, there have only been four different winners and Blatter is concerned that the priority of most teams is merely to avoid costly relegation.

“In a competition where two-thirds or three-quarters of the participants in the league play not to be first, but not to be relegated, there is something wrong,” Blatter told the BBC.

The FIFA chief added that the global power and appeal of the English Premier League is damaging the sport worldwide.

“I have my concerns because the Premier League is the strongest in the world definitely,” he said.

“It is taking over in such a manner that the other leagues have difficulties to match it.”