Scudamore fuming over bias claims

Scudamore has described claims of bias as "nonsensical"

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore has rejected claims that his organisation is biased towards West Ham at the expense of smaller clubs.

The Hammers were fined £5.5m but not docked points after being found guilty of acting improperly over the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan are considering legal action.

But Scudamore told the Daily Mail claims of bias were "one of the most offensive things I've heard".

It's an emotive time and people are hanging on to the Premier League by any means they can Premier League chief Richard Scudamore

Scudamore added: "The idea that we'd manipulate who's in the League and who isn't is so ridiculous, it's nonsensical.

"Do we want Reading or Wigan in the Premiership? Bloody right we do because they won the Championship."

West Ham can guarantee their Premiership survival with a point against Manchester United on the final day of the season on Sunday.

The Hammers were handed their £5.5m fine by an independent disciplinary commission on 27 April.

The club was found guilty of acting improperly and withholding vital documentation over the duo's ownership.

West Ham's relegation rivals have expressed their dismay with the punishment - both with regard to the decision to hold the hearing so late in the season and the failure to dock the Hammers any points.

The Premier League has already written to all 20 member clubs stating that any challenge to the verdict would be "bound to fail" because all 20 clubs agreed to the disciplinary system in place.

But Scudamore said he could understand why clubs are desperate to preserve their Premiership status.

"With the League being as good as it is and with it being as lucrative as it is, people are desperate to stay in it," added Scudamore.

"It's an emotive time and people are hanging on to the Premier League by any means they can.

"You have to remain phlegmatic about it - that's what all this is about."