Premier League football could be played overseas
The Premier League is reportedly considering playing meaningful matches abroad in the future as part of plans to continue growing the English top flight’s popularity overseas.
According to The Athletic, shareholders for the Premier League met in London last week, with the topic of the league’s growth high on the agenda.
The US has been identified as one of the markets from which the Premier League could draw new supporters, with an extended pre-season tournament in the States having already been discussed. China, India, Brazil and Indonesia are also thought to be of interest.
Looking longer term, however, and the possibility of playing league fixtures abroad is now back on the table.
English clubs shelved plans for a so-called “39th game” abroad over a decade ago, but the article claims a possible “roadmap” for playing Premier League fixtures in other countries was briefly discussed in last week’s meeting.
The idea of a 39th game was first floated by former Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore in 2008. Though it was widely criticised by football supporters and the likes of UEFA and FIFA, Scudamore maintained that it would inevitably happen at some point in the future.
The timing of this development, which follows the spectacular implosion of the Super League plans earlier in the year, adds to the sense that football – whether fans want it or not – stands on the cusp of major overhaul.
With FIFA thought to be pressing ahead with proposals for a new football calendar which could see the number of World Cups doubled in years to come, the sport could look significantly different within a decade.
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