Premier League attacks ex-chief

The FA Premier League has launched a scathing attack on former commercial director Stephen Pearson, after securing a record title sponsorship deal with Barclaycard.

The Premier League has brow-beaten Pearson for “indulging in speculation” after it announced the &£48m three-year deal last week.

The barbed comment refers to Pearson branding reports that the FA Premier League was considering dual sponsorship as “unworkable” (MW March 29).

Pearson also said the Premier League would be better off without a title sponsor and that commercial and sponsorship rights should be negotiated individually by the 20 clubs in the league.

But in a statement, the FA Premier League, says: “The sponsorship success is especially satisfying for our marketing and sponsorship department, which has done an incredible job.

“We will all look forward to reading Mr Pearson’s reaction next time he chooses to indulge himself by speculating on the content of our commercial deals.”

Pearson says: “Obviously my congratulations go out to the Premier League on securing a fantastic deal.

“But I was not, as it says, indulging in speculation. I was merely reacting to questions posed to me by the industry press.”

Pearson left the Premier League in controversial circumstances after resigning to set up his own sports promotions agency, Sportacus.