Premier League to Go Worldwide
Criticism of New Proposals to Put English Football to a Global Stage
Opposition has been expressed to Premier League proposals which would increase the league programme by one game to enable clubs to play that match at an overseas venue.
The Premier League, having earned billions of pounds from deals to televise football in Britain and around the world, have announced new proposals to develop and expand their brand by taking it worldwide. With televised football in Britain at saturation point the next strategy under consideration for implementation from season 2010 - 2011 is for the Premier League to go global.
Thirty Ninth League Game
The Premier League are proposing to add an extra match to the league season to enable teams to play at venues around the world. A series of matches will be played in cities across the globe. The venues will bid for the opportunity to host these games. Five cities in America, the Far East and the Middle East are being sought to promote two games over a weekend.
Overseas fans are used to top clubs appearing in pre-season tournaments and friendly games but this will give them the opportunity to experience the thrill of competitive football between teams in one of the world’s top leagues.
The top four teams from the previous season will be seeded so as to avoid meeting each other but the rest of the draw will be open, so while Manchester United could face Derby County, Arsenal could face local rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Each package of four games will contain a mixture of games to include those less attractive fixtures set beside some of the top clubs who have supporters worldwide. What city would want to bid for Wigan against Fulham, Reading against Middlesbrough or some other such game?
Opposition from Supporters
While the football club Chairmen are rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of this additional revenue, there has been immediate criticism from all sides and the ordinary fans who support their team week in week out are less than impressed.
For the armchair supporter it doesn’t matter if the game is played in Tottenham, Wigan or New York but for a fan who follows their team home and away, a game in China, Dubai or North America is a step too far. Opposition has been expressed from supporters groups around the country with some planning to demonstrate their opposition at fixtures over the weekend.
The club Chairmen are contemplating the extra finance but fans are very aware that the thirty ninth game could play a very significant part in deciding their team’s destiny come the end of the season. Relegation, European places and even the title race could be affected by this game.
Managers' Opposition
At a time when there is concern from players and managers about too many games in too many competitions, the affect of the additional travel, playing in different climatic conditions and an extra match are being ignored in the scramble to bring in extra money.
Even managers are expressing their concerns at the proposal which was announced by Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore. Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United, one of the clubs who are frequent visitors to the Far East as they bid to establish their brand worldwide, is strongly opposed to the proposals.
FIFA Chief Against Premier League Plans
The latest opposition expressed about this proposal has come from FIFA President, Sepp Blatter. He is very concerned by the threat of the Premier League moving into countries which are under different football jurisdictions and how that would impact on their own football leagues.
Supporters across the country are not in favour of this idea but may have to realise that this is the next step in taking football away from its historical roots of the three o’clock kick-off on a Saturday afternoon.
