Going global divides opinion

Premier plan upsets Redknapp, but Megson is in favour

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 8th February 2008

Going global divides opinion

Premier League: International round planned

In the end we'll be playing one in England and the rest will be around the world. It will be like Harlem Globetrotters.

Harry Redknapp.
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Harry Redknapp has hit out at the Premier League's radical plan for an 'international round' of matches, but Gary Megson is backing the scheme.

The league stunned the football fraternity with their proposal to add an extra fixture for every club, with the matches due to be played in major cities in the Far East, USA or Australia.

Points gained will count towards the final league table, with the scheme due to begin in the 2010/11 season over one weekend in January.

The Premier League announced that all 20 clubs had given their unanimous agreement to further examine the proposal, as they look to expand their global reach and fan-base.

While club chairman may all be in favour of the scheme, not all managers seem as keen to add to an already congested fixture schedule.

Harlem Globetrotters

Portsmouth boss Redknapp said: "I don't know why the Premier League want to mess with things.

"This is not ideal, is it? And what happens if you are unlucky enough to get Manchester United or Arsenal - surely that's not fair. But it looks as though the plan is done and dusted.

"Frankly, I'd be very surprised if it stays at one game a season. Eventually you will see two, three or even more going abroad - and I don't like that."

He added on talksport: "In the end we'll be playing one in England and the rest will be around the world. It will be like Harlem Globetrotters.

"It's all about making money. Why else do these people buy football clubs? The owner used to be the local butcher, baker or candlestick maker.

"Now people are buying clubs and it's all about investment. Don't tell me that's not why all the Yanks are coming over. They want a return on their money."

Great

But Bolton manager Megson is fully behind the proposal and believers the doubters need to give the idea time.

He told The Sun: "I think it's great. If it was organised properly it would be taken to an area where there is maybe not a massive amount of football but the exposure is there in terms of TV. It's similar to the NFL playing a game in London.

"I don't think it will be a huge problem and the benefits will far out-weigh the cons.

"The exposure the Premier League gets from television is fantastic and the interest in places you wouldn't think there is interest is huge.

"In principal it's a good thing. There have been some things I thought at the time were duff ideas but turned out to be a benefit - things like banning keepers from picking up a back-pass."