The Football Association has revealed that it would not approve any attempt to scrap promotion to and relegation from the Premier League.
Richard Bevan, chief of the League Managers Association, yesterday told the Professional Players Federation that there is interest among some clubs in preventing movement between divisions.
He also predicted that such interest would grow if more clubs were taken over by foreign owners wary of the losses incurred when falling from the top flight.
Premier League rules state that 14 of the 20 members must be in agreement to pass such a change, but the FA has a 'golden share' whereby it can block any alteration to the sport's structure.
"The FA's share can be used so it has to approve any major rule change," a spokesperson told The Sun.
"This covers changes to promotion and relegation."
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken out against idea, branding it "suicide" for much of the Premier League and the Championship.
