Brighton chief Paul Barber believes Richard Scudamore will be a big loss to football.

The Premier League chief exec will leave the job at the end of the year.

Barber told The Argus: “It wasn't something we expected. It was a very emotional few hours because, certainly in my 20 years in professional football, Richard has always been a constant.

“For me personally, when I first started working in professional football, Richard was chief executive of the Football League as it was then.

“Then, when I moved to the FA, he moved to the Premier League and he has been there ever since.

“He is someone I have a huge amount of time and respect and admiration for, for what he has done.

“It not just for the Premier League but prior to that the Football League and football generally."