Redknapp blasts PL proposal

Pompey boss becomes latest manager to criticise foreign round

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 17th February 2008

Redknapp blasts PL proposal

Redknapp: Criticism

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Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has become the latest manager to criticise the Premier League's 'hare-brained scheme' for a foreign round of fixtures.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has proposed to extend the season to 39 games from 2010/11 with each club playing an additional fixture overseas.

The 20 top flight clubs recently voted in favour of the plans but a number of managers - including Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez - have voiced their concerns, while Fifa president Sepp Blatter has vowed to block the idea.

And Pompey chief Redknapp, who takes his side to Preston in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, has now hit out at the proposal.

Moon match

"They (the Premier League) may try to stage a game on the moon. That way it would be outside Fifa's jurisdiction," Redknapp told the Sunday Mirror.

"I think the Premier League had a responsibility to consult the people who really matter, like the supporters and the coaches.

"I'm wholly opposed to the idea - like a lot of managers are. I think people were guilty of going public with the hare-brained scheme and not giving it enough consideration.

"The supporters are no mugs. It's understandable that they are dead set against it. They know one game will become five and five will become 10."

Foreign ownership

And Redknapp believes the increasing number of foreign owners of Premier League clubs, such as Pompey's French owner Alexandre Gaydamak, has made an influence

"There is no doubt whatsoever that foreign ownership has been a factor in all of this," added Redknapp.

"It was inevitable in a way that at some stage they would want to take football out of this country and see it played in their own backyard. And let's not kid ourselves, this is financially motivated.

"But I think they should just hold their hands up, admit they have got it horribly wrong - and move on."