Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards insists the league is not to blame for England's continued failure.

Richards was one of the Football Association board members that voted unanimously to sack Steve McClaren on Thursday following England's exit from Euro 2008 at the qualification stage.

Richards was questioned about whether the influx of foreign players into the English game was hampering England - but he was quickly on his guard, insisting it was not up to the Premier League to provide all the answers.

"It [the Premier League] has to work in the best interest of the clubs to start with," Richards told Sky Sports News.

"Everyone says there aren't enough quality players - whether there are or aren't is conjecture.

"The Premier League can't always shoulder the responsibility for the national team.

"The clubs are very successful and if you look around the clubs at the players who are there to be picked from there are a substantial amount. "I know it is difficult for the England manager to decide which players to pick - and you may say there is a problem, but going forward we are addressing that.

"The Premier League is the best, because it has the best stars - but there are EU laws which allow them to come on and the Premier League will allow them to come."