Reading and Queens Park Rangers were relegated from the Premier League after the strugglers drew 0-0 on Sunday in a lacklustre and scrappy clash that epitomised their dismal seasons. Both sides needed a win to have any chance of staying up but Reading now return to the Championship (second division) after one season back in the top-flight while big-spending QPR must plot a return after two seasons among the elite. "I have told the players to bottle up the feeling as it is never nice to get relegated, and make sure they never feel that way again," Reading manager Nigel Adkins, who replaced the sacked Brian McDermott last month, told BBC Radio 5 Live. Reading and QPR have 25 points with three matches to play, seven adrift of third-bottom Wigan Athletic. Aston Villa, one place above the drop zone, have 34 with four games remaining. The bottom two sides are condemned to the drop because Villa play Wigan on the final day of the season on May 19, meaning one of those clubs will get to the 35-point mark which Reading and QPR cannot reach. The financial impact of relegation this season from the world's most popular domestic league is estimated to be between 40 million ($61.97 million)and 50 million pounds ($77.46 million), with both missing out on a share of a three billion pounds TV deal for the Premier League starting next season. Increased parachute payments are unlikely to soften the blow and QPR manager Harry Redknapp said it would be tough to bounce back next season. "I haven't thought about it (relegation) today really. I thought it was done. A pretty near certainty wasn't it?" he told Sky Sports. "It's been on the cards since last week. There is a lot of work to be done here. A lot of work to get promoted... make no mistakes about that. There are some good teams in the Championship." (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/70319.aspx
