The man behind the Int'l Champions Cup said that his promotions company "wants to host Premier League matches" in the U.S., according to Mani Djazmi of the BBC. Relevent Sports Chair Charlie Stillitano said that "the success of exporting NFL games to England has not gone unnoticed" by American owners of Premier League clubs. However, plans to play a so-called "39th game" abroad "have been shelved" by Premier League execs. Referring to the NFL, Stillitano said, "It seems like half the season is played in England. That's what NFL owners look at. And don't forget, you have a couple of NFL owners that own teams in your Premier League." Stillitano said that Relevent Sports is ready to bring the EPL to the U.S. He said, "We have our hand up. We'd love to host these games -- but it's up to the leagues and confederations" (BBC, 9/5).
KEEPING TABS: The BBC reported Man City club doctor Matt Brown said that EPL clubs are considering employing "whereabouts administrators" to make sure drug testers "know where players are at all times." Man City was fined £35,000 ($45,600) for "breaking whereabouts rules earlier this year." Brown said, "The whereabouts system is difficult. Clubs are looking at whether we need someone to take ownership of that and get someone employed to be the whereabouts administrator." He added that none of the three whereabouts violations for which his club was sanctioned were related to an actual anti-doping offense -- "but accepted they do not look good" for Man City. Brown said, "We are not the only club to have had strikes, but we are not happy. It does bring our badge into disrepute" (BBC, 9/5).
