Premiership's 'Game 39' is back on table

Source: Agencies  |   2008-12-13  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE English Premier League's proposal to play a round of league matches in Asia has been revived after the league struck a cooperation agreement with the Asian Football Confederation.

Premier League chief executive Peter Scudamore and AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam met in Tokyo yesterday on the sidelines of the Club World Cup and announced the organizations would work at an administrative and club-to-club level to close the gap between Asian and European football.

The closer relationship could clear the way for the Premier League to stage a "39th round" in Asia.

The league's initial floating of an idea to play regular season matches in places such as China, Japan and South Korea were heavily criticized by many, including bin Hammam, but Scudamore said people jumped to conclusions when the idea was mooted.

"There was supposed to be a consultation process," said Scudamore, whose plan was also criticized by FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini.

"It turned into a media frenzy. We were almost put back into our box at birth such was the excitement generated.

"All we did was go to our shareholders, the 20 clubs in the Premier League and had a meeting where the clubs agreed to spend one year exploring the possibility of playing a game abroad."

Scudamore added: "Nobody believed it was just an idea to be consulted on. The way the media wrote it was that our clubs were on the plane and landing in a city near you within weeks."

Bin Hammam has softened his stance based on the initiative. "We had many questions," he said. "What kind of legacy are (the teams) going to leave behind? Does the club just collect the money and go home or are they going to leave something behind? Now we know there will be benefits to Asian football."

A 39th game is unlikely to happen for at least another two years but Scudamore got the ball rolling by outlining plans to help with coaching and technical support in Asia.

"You say it with a twinkle in your eye that you didn't realize what the Premier League were already doing in Asia," he said looking at Hammam.

"It's not new. We have been here for a number of years working on various projects. Clubs have been coming to Asia for a long time."

Scudamore also announced a scheme to twin Premier League clubs with teams competing in the region's Champions League.

"It will likely start with five or six clubs at an operational and coaching level." Scudamore said. "I doubt it will extend to joint commercial arrangements."

"This is good for Asian football," Bin Hammam said. "Our fans will benefit, our youth will benefit and our coaches will benefit. They will be coming here based on our approval."