Global plan to be reconsidered

Chief executive insists idea 'is not a dead duck'

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 19th February 2008

Richard Scudamore Premier League chief executive

Scudamore: Looking to please Fifa

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Richard Scudamore has admitted that plans to take Premier League matches abroad will have to be reviewed.

The Premier League outlined a radical idea earlier this month for each team to play one extra match a season overseas.

A number of managers have already criticised the proposal, while Fifa president Sepp Blatter has also voiced his opposition.

And Scudamore concedes that without Fifa's approval the Premier League could not pursue the matter any further.

"Yes, it's had some hostile reaction and clearly we are not going to take this forward in anyway if it doesn't meet with some form of acquiesce from Fifa," the Premier League chief executive said at a parliamentary committee.

"Certainly the Football Association and the Football League will have to be comfortable with whatever move and direction we take."

Scudamore is willing to investigate more closely whether playing a 39th game each would be the fairest system.

He explained: "We will decide, after consultation, whether that deviation from perfect symmetry is proportionate and worth it in the scheme of things.

"If it's deemed not to be worth it then the whole thing will be reformatted and we will think again about our global expansion.

"It's certainly not a dead duck because it's only just started."