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A "burning desire" to play a round of Premier League matches abroad "still exists -- but do not expect it to happen any time soon," according to Mike Keegan of the London DAILY MAIL. That is the view of EPL Chair Richard Scudamore, who "also revealed that the top flight’s clubs are keen to take matches out of the country." The "controversial idea was mooted" in '14 but dropped after a "fierce backlash from fans, while the prospect of taking a 39th match overseas" was abandoned in '08 for "similar reasons." Speaking at the Premier League Asia Trophy, Scudamore "was open about the issue." Scudamore: "I've got the scars all the way up my back (from the last time). Look, I may be at the Premier League for five, 10, 15 or 20 years. There is no plan to do it. Is there still a burning desire? The clubs would like to do it but we are also realistic that says until the fan, political and media reaction is any more warm towards it, it won't happen." Scudamore added that "global interest is part of the reason for the Premier League's success" and that there is a "school of thought" to recognize that. He said, "I fully understand those who have bought a season ticket, been to every game home and away for the last 25 years, deem themselves to be at the highest echelon of fan commitment. I get that. You can't take that away from anyone but also I think those fans realize that now the Premier League and those clubs are global success stories" (
DAILY MAIL, 7/20).
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: In Hong Kong, James Porteous reported with China "investing massively in football in particular," Scudamore reckons the country can become a "football superpower" ahead of schedule. Scudamore: "Clearly there is a commercial appeal to the Premier League, generally. There is a commercial appeal to our clubs, specifically, and now ever more so the individual players themselves. There isn't a business in the world including ours that hasn't looked enviously at China and the opportunities it creates. But just as exciting for China I think is the commitment from President Xi [Jinping] all the way down. I think he set the target of being a world football power by 2050. I'd be very surprised if that wasn't 2035" (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, 7/20).
NOT HAPPENING: REUTERS' Michael Church reported England's top clubs "remain keen to play competitive matches abroad" but the idea of "putting on a dedicated additional round of fixtures outside the country is dead." Scudamore said that the original "Game 39" suggestion was a "genuine proposal and not just an attempt to stimulate debate" within the English game. He said, "It was about wanting to do it. I put my neck out there and I said I think we should do this. I thought it was the right thing to do and I still do. I just think it would be an unbelievable thing to do, but it's not going to happen" (REUTERS, 7/20).
