Liverpool FC Forum

by **Dundalk** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:10 pm

From BBC Sport....

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.

The Premier League's proposal mirrors moves in other sports, notably American Football.

Miami Dolphins and New York Giants met at Wembley in October, the first competitive NFL game against the Americas.

Please God say this isnt true.

by **lakes10** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:14 pm

what a load of :censored:

, its all just money money, The idea of the prem was to give the players a bit of a rest and to help the england team.
a very silly idea from the FA .

by **NANNY RED** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:22 pm

WTF are they getting up to now as far as im concerned its an absolute disgrace i pay enough money going away to watch them in this country and in Europe but i think theve got a cheek even bringing this to the drawing board.

Are they talkin about playin league games there like Us v Manu
or am i reading it wrong

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:23 pm

If this is true its a fkn disgrace. Its the English premier league not the lets travel all over the fkn world premier league. They keep complaining about how many games we have to play each season so now they decide to add travelling huge distances and even more games on ?

by **lakes10** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:29 pm

it will be one extra game for all teams, but the top 4 teams will not meet over sea's. so it it happend this year our name would be put in a hat and say Darby come out, we will have to go and play that game in France of the U.S.

by **lakes10** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:31 pm

Just think say we need 1 pont to get into the CL, and you meet a team that is not in the top 4 but they have not lost for 10 games, and we miss the CL due to this extra game.

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:49 pm

lakes10 wrote:Just think say we need 1 pont to get into the CL, and you meet a team that is not in the top 4 but they have not lost for 10 games, and we miss the CL due to this extra game.

To be fair mate that is a stupid argument because that scenario of playing an in form team who are out of the top 4 could happen regardless of the extra game. And besides if we were to need an extra point to qualify for the champions league and the last game is the extra one, then surely that's a positive that we get an extra chance??

by **NANNY RED** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:54 pm

Well im blaming the Mancs for this they got the ball rolling by playing in Saudi recently now the other money grabbing gobs.hites from the fa are sticking there noses in ive gotta blame someone so its the mancs fault

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:55 pm

Whichever way it works it will no longer be the league. The league is based on each team meeting home and away to decide which team is best. Not playing a side THREE TIMES because you drew them out of some fkn hat.

by **JoeTerp** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:21 pm

This seems very similar to the current NFL proposal to have each team play one extra game outside the US

I think this idea is a great one if it is done right. I think they should seen all 20 teams from last season and have the champions play the winners of the promotion playoff and 2nd place plays the 2nd place team of the championship and so on with 10th place team playing the 11th place team. Its adds incentive to finish as high as you can no matter who you are because that way you will play an "easier" opponent. I think it HAS to to be the first game of the season and played 10 days before any prem games in England in order to give proper rest. A lot of teams do overseas preseason tours anyway now, only thing that is different is that the tour would end with a game that counted. this could mean some SERIOUS cash flow for all the teams because Liverpool would play in 90,000+ seater stadia and would probably make some nice cash on the broadcast of the game too. I would imagine each team would show up 10-14 days before the game and have a couple of friendlies against local sides to warm up and grow the buzz around the area before the real deal.

I think this could be a GREAT idea if it is done right

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:04 pm

Sorry Joe , but I don't agree mate , its just another example of football selling its soul for a few dollars more.

by **dawson99** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:05 pm

farce

by **Ciggy** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:08 pm

Is this some kind of joke?

by **LFC #1** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:39 pm

If this happens it'll be another nail in the coffin of football as we knew it (an I'm only 21 ffs, it's worse if you're older). I'm an overseas fan and I hate the idea, hope it never ever comes to fruition.

by **LFC2007** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:16 pm

A ridiculous idea.

The English Premiership has its own unique identity, in a big way down to the fans who create the atmosphere in the stadia, the stadia themselves, the climate, the style of play, the tempo etc. You can't directly export this, it's impossible.

The day you take it out of England, you remove the identity of the league.

It's a silly attempt at trying to make a few quid.

Supporters attend games throughout the year, they pay a lot, what a way to reward them. Fucking off abroad to play a game that may carry great significance to the outcome of their season, and they have to fly over, book a hotel etc in another country?, what ticket allocation do the fans get?

Then you have the fixture schedule, it's packed enough as it is. It's all besides the point anyway, which is, you don't take the identity out of the league.

Which tw@t came up with this idea?

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