Liverpool and Manchester United's rivals have reportedly been left furious after the two clubs were given 'special access' to the candidates looking to replace Richard Scudamore as the Premier League's chief executive.
The Times report that the north-west pair - who are English football's most successful and therefore most marketable clubs - met with three of the candidates before the nominations committee made any decisions.
It is claimed that the clubs met with Susanna Dinnage, who was appointed to the role in November 2018 before pulling out a month later, as well as NBC executive Dave Howe and fellow candidate David Pemsel.
Howe - the son of the former coach and manager Don Howe - appeared to have many of the qualities required for the role, with Liverpool said to be impressed by him.
However he was informed he had not been given the job after his interview last May.
Pemsel then withdrew from the running following allegations about his private life.
The committee to find the replacement for the outgoing Scudamore was headed by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, and included Leicester chief executive Susan Whelan and Burnley chairman Mike Garlick.
Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward and Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish were then added to the committee after Dinnage pulled out of her apppointment.
Liverpool and United's involvement with the candidates before they had been put forward by the committee is said to have angered clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City.
For their part the Premier League are insisting that there was appropriate involvement for all clubs in the process, which culminated in the appointment of Richard Masters, the division's former managing director and director of sales and marketing, in December last year.
