Premier League’s global plans face hostile reception

Plans to play English Premier League games overseas sparked outrage among fans and the British press today.

UK supporters’ groups claimed the move was just a money-making venture, while the newspapers accused the competition of selling out.

“The man who sold our game” screamed the Daily Mail’s back-page headline over a picture of Premier League boss Richard Scudamore, who announced the top 20 clubs had agreed to consider playing an “international round” from 2010-2011.

The newspaper described yesterday’s announcement as a “grubby plan for a global gravy train”.

“The football community is now divided between a minority driven by greed and the majority who are utterly appalled by the idea of an `international round’ of Premier League matches,” it commented.

The Daily Express echoed the sentiments: “February 7, 2008. Remember the date … it could turn out to be the day football finally sold its soul.”

The Mirror said fans had accused the Premier League of turning the game into a “travelling circus act”, while The Star’s front page said simply: “Death of Footie”.

Under the plan, five overseas venues would each host two games over a weekend in January, with the round to be staged in addition to the 38 home and away matches currently played.

Cities would bid for the right to host games.

But while Scudamore said no potential host cities or countries had yet been discussed, Australia, along with the United States and Asia, were reportedly among the destinations in mind.

A final decision on whether to proceed with the proposal is expected in January next year, although it would still require the approval of FIFA and UEFA, with both soccer bodies believed to have concerns over the plan.

Football Supporters’ Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke said such a move threatened the integrity of the league.

“It denies fans the chance to see their team at home. That is not right,” he told The Sun.

The broadsheets offered a more measured approach than the tabloids, but still raised concerns.

“Chase for cash threatens to rob game of its founding principle,” said The Independent, arguing that the concept of the best team in a league season constituting two games against each opponent would be lost.

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