PREMIER LEAGUE DIRECTOR MAKES CLEAR STANCE ON TOP-FLIGHT MATCHES BEING PLAYED ABROAD
Premier League chief Richard Masters says the “door looks ajar” to European leagues playing domestic matches overseas – but insists it is not part of the English top flight’s current plans.
FIFA is currently deliberating its rules relating to domestic games being played on the territory of another member federation, something that has been previously banned. La Liga president Javier Tebas has already outlined his intent to play matches in the USA, but the subject was a delicate one in England.
In 2008, proposals were lodged for a 39th round of matches oversees. However, those plans were hit with a large amount of backlash from fans alongside pressure from FIFA. And Premier League chief executive Masters has revealed moving matches to USA is not currently in their plans.
Masters said: "The door looks ajar for matches abroad. It is not part of our current plans."
Chelsea and Manchester City will be playing competitive matches in the United States in 2025 after the first 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. Masters slammed the lack of consultation from FIFA over the introduction of that competition, and revealed players are concerned about the extra pressures.
When asked if players could take matters into their own hands, Masters added: "It is getting to a tipping point. The feedback we have from players is that there is too much football being played and there is constant expansion.
"The Premier League hasn’t changed shape. What has changed over the last few decades is the march of international and regional football competitions.
"We are proud to be different in England. We still have two cup competitions. We still believe it is for us to determine how big our league is. If you pour more liquid into a cup that is already full, it will overflow.
"That is what is happening at the moment, not just in terms of the calendar but in terms of the players’ ability to be able to perform at their best in the competitions they want to play in. "It stands to reason if you overload the calendar and the players, at some point, something has to give."
The decision to scrap FA Cup replays was chosen to relieve some of the pressure on fixtures and the footballing calendar, with more matches being played in the UEFA club competitions next season.
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2024-04-26T23:14:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd