Premier League refute Blackpool claims

Scudamore says Blackpool have been good for the Premier League (GETTY IMAGES)

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has refuted Ian Holloway's claims that the League would be 'relieved' to see Blackpool relegated.

The Tangerines manager claimed earlier this week: "They (the Premier League) will be relieved if we lose and get relegated - then I am not badgering them."

However, Scudamore today told BBC Sport: "They've been a breath of fresh air, they've come up on sporting merit and played positively, therefore they deserve it.

"If on Sunday they still deserve that place they're welcome to stay."

Blackpool are currently 18th in the table and are one of five teams battling to avoid the drop.

They could be the first side to win at Old Trafford and yet still suffer an immediate return to the npower Championship.

However, with five teams separated by a single point, they could also survive by losing Sunday's match away to the champions.