Shearer defends PL chief after controversial payout

The payment -- stumped up following a whip-round of £250,000 each from the league's 20 clubs -- has sparked criticism from fans, and accusations of greed.

Scudamore, who is due to step down next month after 19 years in the post, earns a reported salary of £2.5 million per season.

But Shearer -- whose record of 260 Premier league goals still stands, 12 years after he retired -- said it was no different from rewarding high-performing executives in the business world.

"However it's come out, I'm certain he didn't ask for it, and he's been a fantastic leader for the Premier League," he said at an appearance in Hong Kong.

"Wherever you go in the world now, all they want to talk about is the EPL."

However, Shearer questioned England's decision to bring record goal-scorer Wayne Rooney out of international retirement for a farewell appearance in Thursday's 3-0 victory over USA.

"I felt we could honour someone without giving them the cap," he said. "I would have made him (Rooney) the guest of honour instead."

Rooney, 33, was honoured before kick-off in London with a guard of honour and a plaque, and took the field as part of an otherwise youthful England team.

Shearer said he was excited about the "energy" of Gareth Southgate's England, who reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990 this year in Russia.

"Gareth and the players have got everyone back in love with England again," he said.

"It's the first time in a long time we've got an England manager who's over-achieved. For a long time we had managers that under-achieved."

England face Croatia on Sunday in the Nations League, where they will hope to avenge their defeat in the World Cup last four and stay on course for reaching Euro 2020. 

"They're definitely on the right track," Shearer said. "I hope that in a few years we'll have a title."