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Premier League reveal they still want to play league games abroad

7 years ago
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They just don’ give up do they, the Premier League having revealed that clubs still want to take league matches overseas.

There was a massive backlash from fans and others when this was previously tried to be pushed through.

It gets worse though.

Whilst the previous suggestion was to have an extra set of fixtures, the 39th game, played at venues around the world, the Premier League Chairman Richard Scudamore now admits that if it can be made to happen, it will be normal matches from the usual 38 game season that would be shifted.

People like Scudamore are really shameless, no matter how they try to dress this up, it is only about money, not some supposed merited idea to do with Premier League fans from other countries deserving to host matches because of the money they pay via overseas TV deals.

Surely for most overseas fans anyway, the thing that has attracted them to English football is the unique atmosphere and feel that it gives people watching on TV, wherever they may be. Would Manchester United/Liverpool fans in Norway, really think it was the same watching their team on TV playing a match in Tokyo, rather than Old Trafford or Anfield?

One big positive though is that whilst Richard Scudamore is desperate for games to be played overseas, he accepts that the mood of the public won’t allow it, so until that changes…

The thing is, fans of Newcastle United and the other 19 Premier League clubs, know fine well what the score would be.

Even if the 39th match had been allowed, it would have been the thin end of the wedge.

It would have then been…surely out of 38 games, fans overseas deserve at least a handful of those matches, selfish of English based supporters expecting to keep them all etc etc.

Then it would be chipped away and chipped away and eventually if they got their way, fans in England should be grateful they have at least half the games.

Those who run football think they can get away with anything but good to see that for once people power is once again stopping Scudamore and the rest of them from trying this on again.

Premier League Chairman Richard Scudamore:

“I have got the scars all the way up my back from the last time (the Premier League wanted to play some league games abroad).

“There is no plan to do it but is there still a burning desire? The clubs would like to do it but we are also realistic that says until the fan, political and media reaction is any more warm towards it, it won’t happen.

“If it did happen it wouldn’t be a 39th game (as was previously put forward), I think there would be a desire to do a round of fixtures internationally – but there is no prospect of it happening any time soon or in anybody’s realistic timeframe.

“We have no time set for it but I am a man of belief. I thought it was the right thing to do and I still do.

“I fully understand those who have bought a season ticket, been to every game home and away for the last 25 years, deem themselves to be at the highest echelon of fan commitment.

“I get that. You can’t take that away from anyone…but I also think those fans realise that now the Premier League and those clubs are global success stories.

“That global success has come from interest that other fans have. This is not a patronising, false interest – the bit that always strikes a chord is how knowledgeable and passionate they are.

“I would put a lot of people here (in Hong Kong),up against anyone back home, in terms of knowledge of the club.

“The fact they haven’t walked down through terraced houses, smelt the hot dogs and onions and dodged the police horse *** on the pavement you have to step in in order to enjoy your Premier League experience.

“I understand they haven’t sensed that but that is not to say that there isn’t a an appreciation, a knowledge, a passion, an interest and it’s that which is being channelled to make the game what it is.”

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