The FA has told world governing body FIFA that it has serious misgivings over the Premier League's recently announced plans to play extra matches overseas.
The 20 Premier League clubs have floated the idea of playing league matches overseas from the 2010-11 season. The fixtures, planned to be staged over one weekend in January in cities which had bid for the hosting rights, would extend the league season to 39 matches per club from 38.
In the statement the FA said "We have a responsibility to the whole of English football and we have to consider any wider consequences and implications that this proposal may create."
Their concern is the possibility of damaging its bid to stage the World Cup in 2018. Announced in an official statement yesterday the FA said "It was ... made clear to FIFA that the FA has some serious reservations about the proposal," the English game's governing body said on its Web site (www.thefa.com).
Seemingly in support of the FA’s statement, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has opposed the plans and warned that the proposal could indeed harm England's World Cup bid.
There’s been a lot of debate over this move, and no doubt will continue for the foreseeable future.
It’s interesting, when me and my mates get into discussions over this there seems to be a clear divide with some thinking it’s a good idea and others thinking the very suggestion cheapens the value of the league.
What do you think?
Steve0