Former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny says the Premier League have "Overstepped the mark" after threats to exclude Newcastle United from the competition.
The threats to expel the Magpies were read out in court as part of the club's ongoing Competition Appeal Tribunal case.
Daniel Jowell QC, who was representing Mike Ashley, said the Premier League threatened to “stop the club participating in the competition”.
Following the revelation, Kenny believes 'there would be hell to pay' if they carried out the threats.
"They’ve overstepped the mark," he said.
"You would be punishing the players that are there, the fans, the staff. It isn’t their fault what’s going on with the legal stuff.
"At the end of the day, if it meant they had to keep hold of Mike Ashley to stay in the Premier League, I’m sure the fans would want that.
"I didn’t like this one at all when I first heard about it. I just thought, wow, I can’t believe it’s actually being talked about.
"There will be hell to pay if they carry through with that."
