The English Premier League is considering the idea of staging some matches around the rest of the world.
At a meeting in London on Thursday, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games.
Those 10 extra games would be played at five different venues, with cities bidding for the right to stage them.
It is understood the additional fixtures could be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore told BBC Sport: “I think it’s an idea whose time has come. It’s an exciting prospect… You can’t stand still and if we don’t do this then somebody else is going to do it.”
A final decision on the proposals will not be made until January 2009.
The main aspects of the plans are:
- An additional round of Premier League fixtures, extending the season to 39 games, from January 2011
- Four clubs to travel to one of five host cities, with two games taking place in each venue over a weekend
- Cities would bid for the right to become a host, not for individual matches
- Points earned from the games would count towards the final Premier League table
Scudamore added that “there is much more detail to follow which we will work on over the next 12 months”.
Cities in Asia, Middle East and North America are likely to show a strong interest in hosting the extra games.
BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Premier League’s decision to explore such a move is a “logical” one. “Some fans may feel aggrieved, but their concerns will be outweighed in the eyes of the clubs by the financial advantages. The clubs will see this as a chance to make more money.”
RICHARD SCUDAMORE IS A CHANCER CUNT.
THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE IS A COLLECTIVE CUNT.
MIHIR BOSE IS A RISIBLE CUNT, WHO IS ACTUALLY GETTING WORSE THE LONGER HE IS THE BBC’S SPORTS EDITOR. (Remember Robin Oakley? He’s even worse than that.)
THE MINISTER IS A LITTLE OFF-COLOUR BUT IS STILL ANGRY ENOUGH TO BE SHOUTING.
Birmingham co-owner David Gold says the Premier League should be praised for its proposal:
We are making history. The Premier League, which is the greatest league the world has ever known, is being adventurous. It is looking forward and is looking to take an English brand global. The idea is very worthy of consideration. I find this amazingly exciting.
DAVID GOLD IS A CUNT WHO SELLS DILDOS AND COCK RINGS.
Tottenham Hotspur chief executive Daniel Levy spent this evening talking to Radio 5 Barely Alive about “soccer”:
We do have lots of overseas fans that are unable to come to matches played in the UK so I think it is something that should be explored.
DANIEL LEVY IS A CUNTY CUNT.
One “club source” told PA Sport:
The Premier League is a global game now. This would increase everyone’s income.
CLUB SOURCES ARE ANONYMOUS, GREEDY CUNTS.
The Estimable Sean Ingle comments:
The immediate reaction of most UK football supporters to these proposals will be outright horror. The flaws are certainly legion. Is it fair that one team will face Manchester United three times, while others play them only twice? Is it right that the top five sides may be seeded to avoid meeting each other? And is it ever right that all the sorrow and suffering, glory and pain of a league season could be affected by the whims of a spinning tombola at Premier League HQ?
The clubs are said to be “enthusiastic” about these proposals. You bet they are. As their squads romp and roast their way around Rio de Janeiro or Beijing or whichever city gets the right to host a Premier League match, they will be coining in cash from TV, advertising and sponsorship, as well as jet-boosting their brand further into the stratosphere.
Gareth Southgate said:
Is it April 1?
FUCKSAKE.
The result is simple: Martin O Neill, Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Juande Ramos and Harry Redknapp must unite in solidarity and agree to go on strike and refuse to manage their clubs if their clubs agree to these proposals. I’d like to see the clubs try and replace those bastards.