DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

From the beeb . . .



The English Premier League is considering playing some matches overseas, BBC Sport has learned. 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 venues around the world, 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.
It is unlikely any decision will be taken before the Premier League's annual summer meeting in June, but any changes could come into effect for the 2010/11 season.

Points from those extra games would count towards the league table.
Should the proposal get the go-ahead, cities in Asia, Middle East and North America are likely to show a strong interest in hosting the extra games.
It is believed each venue would host two matches over a weekend.

BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Premier League's decision to explore such a move is a "logical" one.
"The growth of the Premier League has been impressive in the last 15 years thanks to the sale of television rights in this country," he said.
"But now the market in the United Kingdom is becoming saturated and it is the overseas market which is now the big target area."

A number of top-flight clubs already play matches around the world as they seek to capitalise on the huge global interest in the English game.
Manchester United are regular visitors to Asia, Middle East and America while other clubs are beginning to follow their lead.
"This is a chance for the Premier League to showcase its product around the world," added Bose.
"Some fans may feel aggrieved, but their concerns will be outweighed by the advantages.
"Clubs will see this as a chance to make more money so they can invest in new facilities and better players."

There is likely to be a big scramble for the right to host the extra games.
"It will be like cities bidding for the Olympic Games or the World Cup," explained Bose.




Cue numerous predictable rants about Liverpool not being a top five team

MattW

Will be a sad day if this happens.

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Its the future of Soccertainment

MattW

lol cue Manchester United vs Sunderland and Arsenal vs Tottenham Hostpur for the league decider, hardly going to be fair is it.

davegtt

Pah, Premierleague pimping itself out yet again

TimWRX01

iTrader: (1)

Seems that football is going that way.

There was a lot of talk about it happening after the NFL game at Wembley. Apparently the foreign owners are really keen on taking this great 'product' to other 'customers'.

pauld37

Very sellable brand

davegtt

Doesnt make it good for English football though

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

They must be crackers.

So each club will play ONE extra game? Who decides who plays who? Like a cup draw?

So............we could have, say, Man. Utd. vs Liverpool, Arsenal vs Derby Co., and Chelsea vs Sunderland.

How would that be fair? The clubs would be mad to vote for this, but I can see 'em doing it as all they see is ££££££££££

Alcazar

pauld37

Having so many foreigners in the Premiership doesn't either

Not a dig at you Paul ;-)

TimWRX01

iTrader: (1)

It says in the papers that they will seed the top clubs so they avoid each other.

They may as well just pick a name out of a hat at the start of the season and give them the trophy.