EPL chief says Big 4 dominance not issue in Asia

English Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore believes Asian fans are not concerned that Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal have made English football too predictable. "The talk about only certain teams being able to win the Premier League is a bit of a domestic phenomenon. In Asia, it is almost completely the opposite. The fans here are excited by the fact it is the clubs they have heard of who are winning. It is like the Tiger Woods [golf] or Roger Federer [tennis] factor. People may want other players to win the major championships, but when those two do it there is more interest," he said as quoted by Simon Cass in the Daily Mail.

"Barring a solitary crown for Blackburn Rovers in 1995, United, Chelsea and Arsenal have dominated the Premiership title race ever since the League's inception 15 years ago. But with domestic and overseas television contracts set to earn the Premier League almost £2 billion over the next three years, the financial health of the game in England has become paramount for those in charge, even if the trickle-down of wealth has not seen the silverware spread among the lesser lights," commented Cass.

"It is stating the obvious, but the Asian market have to consume most of their Premier League football very remotely, via TV. But the one thing that strikes anyone who comes out here is the fact the fans have an absolutely intense interest and knowledge in our domestic football," Scudamore said further in Hong Kong. "I know some people in England would say true fans are the ones who travel to an away game on a wet November night. But the people in Asia are just as fanatical about their football. It is a positive thing for all of us when we take an opportunity to give them a chance to touch and feel what they see on their television screens all year.

"It does matter that our League is competitive. Nobody is talking about a one-club league any more. The question is, how many more do you add into the mix? Liverpool are clearly having a go and you can never write Arsenal off. Who knows, at some point there may be a surprise and another club may force their way into the gang of four?"