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U.S. will take cue from FIFA on Premier League matches
England - 13 February, 2008
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The English Football Association has taken an interest in the Premier League's idea of a 39th match, to be played overseas.
FA chairman Lord Triesman, Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney and FA chief executive Brian Marwick will meet with Richard Scudamore of the Premier League.
The Premier League would like the support of the FA in the move to play an extra match overseas. The league wants to play an additional match for each club, all coming at an international venue.
But U.S. football chief Sunil Gulati said he will not go against the wishes of FIFA in the matter. If FIFA does not endorse the Premier League plan — and the governing body has expressed serious misgivings — then the U.S. federation would not support the matches.
The league had targeted matches for Australia and Japan, but both nations have come out opposed to the idea.
"We'll be guided by FIFA on this matter," Gulati told BBC. "But if it's not in line with its rules then we won't sanction it. We had a similar proposal 10 years ago when a team playing in Los Angeles wanted to play in the Mexican league. We didn't let that happen and CONCACAF (federation) said no.
"We understand it's a global sport but it's about nurturing the home game. If FIFA (approved), then we would look at it."
FA chairman Lord Triesman, Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney and FA chief executive Brian Marwick will meet with Richard Scudamore of the Premier League.
The Premier League would like the support of the FA in the move to play an extra match overseas. The league wants to play an additional match for each club, all coming at an international venue.
But U.S. football chief Sunil Gulati said he will not go against the wishes of FIFA in the matter. If FIFA does not endorse the Premier League plan — and the governing body has expressed serious misgivings — then the U.S. federation would not support the matches.
The league had targeted matches for Australia and Japan, but both nations have come out opposed to the idea.
"We'll be guided by FIFA on this matter," Gulati told BBC. "But if it's not in line with its rules then we won't sanction it. We had a similar proposal 10 years ago when a team playing in Los Angeles wanted to play in the Mexican league. We didn't let that happen and CONCACAF (federation) said no.
"We understand it's a global sport but it's about nurturing the home game. If FIFA (approved), then we would look at it."
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