Premier League defiant over playing games abroad

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore vows to convince FIFA president Sepp Blatter with his idea of playing extra games overseas, despite the latter's total disagreement with the plan.<br>

كتب : Omar AbdelAziz

السبت، 16 فبراير 2008 - 14:19

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore vows to convince FIFA president Sepp Blatter with his idea of playing extra games overseas, despite the latter's total disagreement with the plan.

Scudamore took the approval of all top flight teams in England to play an additional 39th matchday abroad in January.

The idea was entirely refused by Blatter, who hinted that the Premier League plans could be negative to England's bid to the 2018 World Cup.

However, Scudamore says he is yet to meet with the FIFA chief in an attempt to provide him with further details regarding his plan.

"We were told we would have the opportunity to talk to the FIFA president about our proposal," Scudamore told The Times.

"I do not see how there can be speculation about the possible impact on the 2018 World Cup campaign until this meeting has taken place.

"I want to explain the reasons for this proposal to Mr. Blatter because I do not think, on the information he will have received so far, he has been given a chance to understand it, or what benefits there would be for the game in England and beyond."