Incoming Premier League chief executive David Pemsel has resigned before starting in the role, the organisation has announced.
Pemsel was due to start the role in 2020. He was appointed after broadcasting executive Susanna Dinnage accepted the CEO's role in November 2018 before rejecting it a month later, citing a change of heart.
In February, senior BBC executive Tim Davie turned down an approach from the Premier League. Pemsel was the third candidate.
A statement read: "Following media disclosures earlier this week and discussions with David Pemsel, the Premier League has today accepted David’s resignation and he will no longer be joining as Chief Executive.
"Richard Masters will continue as Interim Chief Executive."
Pemsel, previously chief executive of Guardian Media Group, was appointed in October.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, who was involved in the recruitment process, at the time praised the 51-year-old's "straightforward style and personal integrity".
The Premier League's long-serving executive chairman Richard Scudamore announced his intention to stand down as long ago as June 2018 but after two ill-fated appointments the position remains embarrassingly vacant.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
