England's top-flight clubs have been left stunned by a request from Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck to contribute to a £5million golden handshake for outgoing Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore.
Ahead of an emergency Premier League meeting to be held in London later today - where Scudamore's successor will be announced ahead of his departure next month - Sportsmail understands that Buck has called round the 20 clubs asking for them to each make a £250,000 donation.
Buck, who has been leading the search for Scudamore's replacement alongside Leicester chief executive Susan Whelan and Burnley chairman Mike Garlick, is known to have forged a close personal friendship with Scudamore since becoming Chelsea chairman 15 years ago.