Nations unite in opposition
13 Feb 2008 - 09:24:47
Australia and Asia have joined forces in condemning the Premier League's controversial plans to play some games overseas.
Last week, chief executive Richard Scudamore revealed a plan to introduce a 39th fixture from 2010/11 onwards which would see each of the 20 teams play one additional match in a variety of locations across the globe.
However, both the Australian and Asian federations are against the plans and claim they will not be bidding to stage any of the contentious games.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman Frank Lowy said: "The bottom line is FFA rejects the notion of another country playing a round of their domestic competition in Australia and intruding on the development of the Hyundai A-League and the game in Australia.
"We said when this issue first arose last week that FFA's overwhelming priority is to promote the Hyundai A-League and to continue to invest in, and grow, the game in Australia."
Meanwhile, Asia Football Confederation president Bin Hammam insists his priority is to his own domestic competition.
"I always welcome the exchange of knowledge and expertise between foreign football associations and clubs, and support matches organised between AFC and other Confederations which benefit the development of our clubs here in Asia, but I can't see the wisdom in the proposed plans," he claimed.
"With relation to the overall principle, it is my belief that it is not a good idea to organise domestic leagues in other territories other than their own.
"If this principle is accepted, then the Premier League must accept reciprocal arrangements within their own territory."
