The dreaded proposal has been mooted once again…
With the clamour by the Premier Leagues top brass for one of the campaigns 38 games to be played overseas, it can only be a matter of a few seasons away before this highly unpopular decision eventually becomes reality.
It was back in 2010 when PL Chief Executive Richard Scudamore first brought panic and downright refusal to his germ of an idea that there should be a 39th league fixture introduced which would be played outside of England.
From a distance, there are many pros and cons for the introduction of an additional game abroad. Fighting the cause for the plus side would be the extra revenue and worldwide exposure one more fixture would bring to each club in the division. The argument to this might be that there are far too many matches played as it is, not including internationals, certainly in a season leading up to and including a major tournament.
Many fans see their heroes as a commodity they own in exchange for hard earned money and a regular pilgrimage to the club of their choice. Take a look at a potential 38th game fixture at the end of a season between Chelsea v Liverpool being played in Asia or America for example. Who would be playing at home? Chelsea? Try telling that to any die hard ‘Pensioners’ who have been watching the Blues for over 20 years.
My first feeling when I heard this news was one of immediate despondency. Not to mention another reason to make me turn my back on the game I have loved and expended so much emotion for ever since I first learned to kick a ball.
I’m 99.9% certain that throughout the English football fan fraternity, these thoughts are not shared by me alone…
Source: DSG
