In 2008, there was a proposal to introduce a “39th game” in the Premier League schedule. The idea was to open the door towards playing competitive Premier League games overseas, in an attempt to take advantage of the extensive markets in both America and Asia.
The idea was heavily criticised amongst football supporters and the idea failed to get much traction.
Ten years later and Spain’s top-flight La Liga proposed to play a La Liga fixture between Barcelona and Girona in Miami. The proposal was blocked by the FIFA Council saying that official domestic games must be staged in the league’s home territory.
This unfortunately was not the end of it, as predictably, Event promotor Relevent Sports has been engaged in a five-year legal battle with both FIFA and U.S. Soccer.
Earlier this year, according to The Athletic, FIFA were dropped from the lawsuit and the two parties announced a settlement, although details of it were not disclosed.
Relevent CEO Danny Sillman, stated that FIFA will “consider changes to its existing rules about whether games can be played outside of a league’s home territory”.
Considering there isn’t much wiggle-room there, competitive games will either be allowed to be played abroad or they won’t, this has obviously perked the interests of opportunist parties looking for a (pun intended) quick buck.
Spain once again have tried to make the first move to the States and could attempt to make something happen before the turn of the year with a proposal to play Barcelona v Atletico Madrid in Miami in December.
(🌕) BREAKING: La Liga is working on hosting the Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid league match, which is set to take place on December 20, 21, or 22, in the United States. It would take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. @relevo #FCB 🇺🇸🚨
— Reshad Rahman (@ReshadFCB) August 15, 2024
The idea has its supporters in England as well, not least Mayor of London Sadiq Khan who expressed his thoughts on Premier League games being played abroad in a Podcast in July and more recently Birmingham City’s CEO Garry Cook ahead of his sides League One game against Wrexham.
Sadiq Khan @MayorofLondon says he is in favour or Premier League games being played overseas per @sportsagentspod
(about 33 mins in)https://t.co/IgZAB4Mvhb— Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) July 26, 2024
🗣️ “Personally, I think that is a great idea. But I think the EFL wouldn’t see it that way.”
Birmingham City CEO Garry Cook wishes this game vs. Wrexham was being played in the USA. 🇺🇸
Do you agree? 🤔pic.twitter.com/T54lBP2Lsh
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) September 16, 2024
The Athletic quoted one anonymous executive with connections across the global game as saying…
“Even with the Germans and the English, if you talk to these executives and give them a drink, it becomes very clear they’d be ecstatic to play their games in North America,”
With half of the top-tier clubs in England now owned or part-owned by American business people. There has been speculation that it could only be a matter of time before competitive Premier League football matches are played overseas.
One of those clubs owned by Americans is of course AFC Bournemouth, with Bill Foley’s acquisition of the Cherries in December 2022.
Foley has an interest in many sports, not least Ice Hockey where he built a new franchise in Las Vegas. But he wholeheartedly is against the idea.
Speaking to the BBC in July, Foley said…
“…In terms of playing actual Premier League matches in America? We should play in the UK. That is where they belong. I am very respectful of our fans and the whole system. I wouldn’t want to be involved in changing any of that. I believe if you talk to our fans at Bournemouth, they think Foley actually respects our system and respects our heritage. And I do.
“Premier League games in America? No.”
A stance that he was keen to reiterate a few weeks ago when he was at Dean Court for a recent Premier League game.
“We really shouldn’t be playing Premier League games in the United States or in other countries.”
Bournemouth chairman Bill Foley is against playing Premier League games abroad ❌ pic.twitter.com/Zv84VHS8fq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2024
As more and more speculation was reported, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters was quoted last month by The Athletic saying…
“I think it’s worth saying that it’s not clear what is really going on at FIFA in that something has changed, but it hasn’t been clear yet, I need to say there are no plans to play matches abroad in the Premier League.
“It has never been discussed at a shareholders’ meeting since the 39th game (a 2008 proposal to add another game to the Premier League calendar to be played overseas) for those of you who remember it.
“Of course I think if any change in the structure of the competition that is material, then fans should be consulted, but I don’t think (an overseas match) it’s going to happen.”
But whilst Masters appears to knock the idea on its head, if enough Premier League club owners push the agenda, it could become a reality. Therefore, one safety net in the UK could be the proposed independent football regulator.
The independent football regulator is a proposal that has been made in the wake of the flawed and failed European Super League project, but it could well seek influence in other areas such as competitive games being taken abroad and the ever-hiked ticket prices.
Government urged by fans this week to ensure @premierleague games are not taken abroad and that the Regulator has the power to intervene on ticket prices, especially the attack on concessions for seniors/juniors (ticket prices not currently included in Football Governance Bill).
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) August 15, 2024
Whilst the Independent Football Regulator proposal has been mentioned in the King’s speech it has received criticism from UEFA who ban political influence and interference in the governing of football in countries in Europe.
UEFA’s general secretary Theodore Theodoridis has warned against aspects of the plan which could see English clubs being banned from the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League as well as the national sides being banned from UEFA’s European Championships and Nations League competitions.
I don’t post much anymore but feel the need to on this subject. Please don’t be fooled by the scaremongering regarding the independent regulator and England losing tournaments. They will do anything to stop it coming in and are happy to create misinformation and apply soft power…
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) September 15, 2024
Football appears to be set for a battle off the pitch, but at least, in regards to competitive games overseas, AFC Bournemouth have an owner in Bill Foley who will fight against the idea.
Your say…
LewSwimmin wrote…
Competitive English League matches on foreign soil is anathema to me and, I suspect, to everyone else who has supported their club their whole lives through thick and thin from the very first time that they ever went there.
If it ever happened in the States you guys could watch it, but you would not be part of it like we are. The same applies to all the sports tourists we see taking selfies at the great Premier League venues.
It is our game, and we are not merely spectators, we are invested participants along with the players. That is something that cannot possibly be exported, and if someone manages to stage such games against all our wishes, it will deprive us of something very meaningful in our lives just to give you a bit of meaningless entertainment in yours.
If you want to be part of it, you have to come over here and experience it for real, not stay at home and watch a plastic substitute of the original. – To join the conversation, click here.