‘A betrayal of loyal supporters’
LONDON: The Premier League have been told following the lead of La Liga by playing games abroad would be a “betrayal of loyal supporters” and an insult to the “lifeblood” of English football.
Fan groups, led by the Football Supporters’ Federation, have reacted following the news that Spain’s top flight will stage fixtures in the United States and Canada, starting this season.
La Liga revealed their moneyspinning 15-year partnership with US media company Relevent Sports on Thursday, which they say is designed to boost the sport’s profile in North America.
The Premier League previously considered playing a “39th game” overseas but have been warned fans will fight back just as hard as last time if talks are held again.
Malcolm Clarke, chair of the FSF and fans’ representative on the FA Council, told Sportsmail: “The FSF would strongly oppose and actively campaign against any suggestion that Premier League games should be played abroad, as we did with the infamous “Game 39” proposal.
“English football clubs are rooted in their local communities, and their local fans, and a vibrant away following, are still their lifeblood, even in the television age.
“It would be totally against the great traditions of our game, and a betrayal of loyal supporters, to move competitive league games abroad.”
In 2008, FIFA publicly objected the Premier League’s idea of playing a game abroad. World football’s governing body say they were not officially consulted by La Liga on their plans.
The Spanish league’s president Javier Tebas labelled it a “ground-breaking agreement”, though the El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid will not be considered for an overseas match.
David Chidgey, chairman of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, fears this latest move by La Liga will make the Premier League see their Spanish counterparts as a threat and potentially react.
Chidgey said: “We, along with fellow Supporters’ Trusts, have long made the Premier League aware of our opposition to the idea of the “39th Game” or any Premier League fixture being played abroad rather than the traditional home and away fixtures.
“We remain vehemently opposed to it and the announcement that La Liga are intending to do this is a cause for concern in that it might encourage the Premier League to pursue the idea once again.
“Their focus is usually on how they can market the Premier League around the globe, rather than how they can do more to accommodate the genuine concerns of match going supporters. I suspect they will view La Liga’s move as a competitive threat and wish to act commensurately.
“Other than the clear football inequities posed by playing a league match abroad there are serious problems that match going supporters would face over and above the inherent travel and cost issues they already have to deal with. We will continue to resist any move by the Premier League to introduce a league match played abroad with all of the power we can muster.”
Stephen Ross, chairman and owner of Relevent, added: “This extraordinary joint venture is the next giant leap in growing football’s popularity in North America.
“This unique relationship will create new opportunities for millions of North American football fans to experience the most passionate, exciting, and highest level of football in the world.”