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A clip has resurfaced of former Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore admitting that the Premier League had a strategic plan which involves "putting a new name on the trophy in every six-year period".

It comes as Manchester City continue to bemoan their luck with referees and VAR, leading to some fiery outbursts from their players and Pep Guardiola. They were again angered by the decision to give Tottenham's first goal as they led a comeback from 2-0 down to draw on Sunday - believing that Dominic Solanke had scythed through Marc Guehi to score.

It saw them slip behind Arsenal, with the Gunners now enjoying a six point buffer to City in second. The north Londoners are seeking to win the title for the first time since 2004.

Since the 2017/18 season - a period spanning eight campaigns - the only two teams to win the Premier League have been City and Liverpool. Guardiola's side have been dominant in that period, winning it six times. That would go against the "strategic plan" set out by Scudamore - albeit there is no indication the league are sticking by that under their new leadership, nor is there any suggestion they are creating a situation that favours Arsenal.

The former Premier League CEO said in 2016: "Without being disrespectful to any club we have a strategic plan at the Premier League, and that strategic plan says put a new name on the trophy in every six year period. That doesn't mean we don't want any team to win it, it just means would rather see some sort of rotation."

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Contentious VAR decisions have gone against City in matches with Newcastle, Manchester United and Wolves across January - and Rodri was fuming that Solanke's first goal was allowed to stand on Sunday as he came out fighting, suggesting people were bored of them winning and wanted to see a change.

He told Australian broadcaster Stan Sport: "I know we won too much and the people don't want us to win but the referee has to be neutral and for me honestly, it's not fair. It's not fair because we work so hard in these situations and now to make these decisions, we have to move on.

"It's a clear foul and VAR is [there] for a reason. These small details make the difference. We're trying to do our best, it's the first goal they scored and maybe if they don't score the goal, we win the game. It's one game and another game and it's not possible. And honestly I never speak about referees, I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things. He's kicked the leg. It's so clear."

Guardiola was more measured, but hasn't hid his frustration with VAR and officials, as he said. “If it’s a central defender to a striker it’s a penalty, right? You said the same, so you saw it.”

The Catalan added: "Come on. It happened once again. What can I say? Marc has the ball and he's been kicked from behind and it's a goal, so what can I say? Nothing, one more."

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