Top Clubs Consider Overseas Games

[mrbojangles]

From today's Skysports:-

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore says they have the support of all 20 clubs for their proposal to play matches abroad.

The Premier League announced last week radical plans to play ten top flight matches overseas from the 2010/2011 season, leading to 39 games a season.

The plans have come in for criticism from a number of parties, but Scudamore insists all the clubs remain behind the idea.

"My shoulders are fairly broad. You take this job knowing it's not always going to be an easy ride," he told Sky Sports News.

"You work for the 20 clubs. Most importantly you have to work from your base that surrounds you and is closest to you.

"It's important we have the support of the 20 clubs and we still have the support of the 20 clubs to investigate and look at the proposal and bring it back.

"The media have tried to make up some idea that people are breaking ranks, but everyone is in the same position.

"They want to know answers to some questions. They want to think through some of the implications for the competition. They want to know whether the whole thing stacks up and that's exactly where we are, so the clubs are solid.

"We had a good meeting yesterday at the professional game board of The Football Association where we explained some more details to our Football League and FA colleagues.

"Because it's the start of the consultation process our professional game colleagues, both Football League and Premier League, were enthusiastic and could see the merits in the proposal, but like all of us need a lot more work to be done."

While Scudamore claims to have unanimous support from all 20 Premier League clubs, Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has stated he is on the fence, while Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is reportedly against the idea of playing a league game in the United States.

"In fairness to Dave Whelan if you read exactly what he said, it is 'I'm neither condemning it nor condoning it. I need to see whether the numbers stack up'," he continued.

"In a sense that's where all 20 clubs are. There are lots of questions yet to be answered and we need to see whether it stacks up.

"We need to see whether it's worth it. Is the gain worth some of the downside?

"I can deal with the Randy Lerner stuff easily. He was quoted in relation to a direct question of 'Would the Premier League take a game abroad like the NFL did coming to Wembley?'

"Randy Lerner is quite clearly distancing himself from that report. Randy's position on this is very different because it's a proposal that involves all 20 clubs. It's systematic and done for very different reasons.

"It's a strategic play that involves all 20 clubs that creates and makes sure our solidarity mechanisms and that the league stays together when doing this, rather than cherry-picking the odd game or a club or doing something differently.

"So Mr Lerner is entirely comfortable with this proposal."

Initial reaction from fans over the 39th game proposal have largely been negative, but Scudamore is looking to engage them in the process in order to find the best solution of who plays who.

"We've seen the comments that Gordon Brown has made and he's absolutely right. The fans must be consulted.

"That in itself is a challenge in how you actually consult with fans. There are supporter groups, there's a national supporters federation. Then there are supporter groups at clubs plus many more.

"We're working on what is quite a complicated consultation process right now and that's important.

"We wouldn't be doing this unless we thought what was going to be put on was going to be a very, very exciting Premier League proposition.

"It is our intention that as many fans travel from this country to watch the matches. It's also very, very important what is transmitted back in broadcast terms is as unique and attractive a proposition can be.

"We want fans to be engaged and see the opportunity for it. The one important thing that we've not talked about yet is the actual format of who will play who and how.

"Again, opinion on that is welcome as to what is the fairest and best way of doing it. We're not fixed on that at all. I have a cupboard full of models on how it could work. None of which at the minute are out in front as the leading contender."

[davejonesbkk]

Yeah looks like this might die a quick death (thankfully) as now the US, Asian and Australian leagues have said they aren't interested...

[spot]

Fifa rejects Premier League plans

The president of football's world governing body Fifa has told the BBC that plans by the Premier League to host games abroad will never happen.

Sepp Blatter also warned that the proposal could harm England's attempt to host the 2018 World Cup.

"This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs and it gives the impression that they just want to go on tour to make some money," Blatter said.

"This will never happen, at least as long as I am the president of Fifa."

Interview: Mihir Bose with Sepp Blatter

Blatter's comments, in an interview with BBC sports editor Mihir Bose, are the strongest from the governing body since the Premier League's plans were revealed last week.

Top-flight clubs will consider plans to extend the season to 39 games with the extra matches taking place overseas.

But the idea has met with resistance in Asia, Europe and fans in England.

This is abuse. The rich Premier League is trying to get richer and expand the importance of that league

Sepp Blatter

Blatter's stance effectively leave the proposals, for a round of games to take place in five different host cities from January 2011, dead in the water.

"The Premier League is richer than the others, they have more responsibility and what they are trying to do is contrary to this responsibility," he said.

"This is something I cannot understand and definitely the Fifa executive committee will not sanction such an initiative."

A Premier League spokesman said the clubs would "look forward to the opportunity to meet with Fifa in order to discuss this matter in full".

"This was always the starting point in relation to the issue of sanction for the proposed international round, and as such we will be making no comment until after that time," the spokesman added.

This will not have a positive impact on the bid from England for the World Cup in 2018

Sepp Blatter

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore had previously expressed his belief that Fifa could not stop the plan if the clubs receive the go-ahead from England's Football Association.

But Blatter rejected that claim.

"It is not true," he added. "Even if the FA did sanction it, all the national associations receiving these clubs would have to sanction it also. This will be very difficult.

"In addition to that, the Fifa executive committee will apply article two of the Fifa statutes: 'to prevent all methods or practices which might jeopardise the integrity of matches or competitions or give rise to abuse of association football'.

"This is abuse. The rich Premier League is trying to get richer and wants to expand the importance of that league."

There were early signs of Fifa disquiet when it was revealed the governing body had told the Premier League it could not consider the plans until the Football Association had contacted them.

It is understood the FA has held talks with Fifa and is ready to issue a statement distancing themselves from the proposals.

Blatter warned it could affect the FA's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

"When it comes to a decision of the executive committee concerning this matter of the 39th round, and I am sure they will be against it, then it will not have a positive impact on the bid from England for the World Cup in 2018," he added.

Scudamore's plans received a mixed reaction around the world, with the heads of the Asian Football Confederation and Football Federation Australia, which could host any proposed games, rejecting the idea.

The United Arab Emirates Football Association said it would welcome the plan but Uefa boss Michel Platini called it a "nonsense idea".

The proposals were also widely criticised by fans in England and Blatter said he understood their reaction.

"I support the fans 100%," he said. "If I was a fan in England I would say: 'no, please play at home and don't go and exercise your talents abroad'.

"If the plan includes official league matches then, as a fan, I would protest against this."

Fifa will examine the Premier League's proposals at its executive committee meeting on 14 March.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/gallery...cture=332502080

Edited February 15, 2008 by spot

[mrbojangles]

I've changed my mind now. Anything Blatter is AGAINST, i am FOR