So now we're going to have 39 games a season in the top flight with an extra 10 games played in Timbuktu, Outer Mongolia or the Moon. Anywhere in fact where there might be a quick buck to be made.
The 39 Steps you might call it and to this observer at least, it is simply a step too far.
The entire scheme is farcical. For a start how can any league be run fairly if the number of fixtures is uneven?
And playing those extra matches abroad defies common sense.
It's funny but for all these years I've believed that the English Premier League played its matches in England - how stupid of me.
If the stupid plan gets the nod within a couple of seasons it will be the English/Swaziland/Isle of Man Premier League.
Of course this daft idea has got nothing to do with money you understand.
Image
Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of the greed-is-great league says the global premier plan is all about marketing and image.
With every respect, Mr Scudamore that's total bull!
The Premier League is already marketed around the planet.
There is hardly a country in the world that doesn't watch Premier League matches live every weekend.
Those crafty chief execs didn't want us poor saps to know what they were planning to do with OUR game.
You know. Their blood-sucking plan was "leaked".
Were you aware that two Premier League clubs - Sunderland and Middlesbrough - wanted nothing to do with the crackpot scheme?
Then all the Premier League chiefs had a cosy tete-a-tete at Joe's greasy spoon and those two clubs suddenly change their mind when the League's Scudamore told them what they'd get out of it financially.
Squirming
Ever since the plan was leaked Scudamore has been squirming like a worm on a hook and his comments have become more and more bizarre.
He says: "Four or five Premier clubs will do this anyway. They will make a lot of money out of it and the rest will get nought."
No, that won't happen Richard.
Clubs like United and Arsenal do play matches abroad to promote their wares. They do make a substantial amount of money from those games.
But those matches don't have Premiership points at stake.
The poor "rest", as you put it, are perfectly entitled to play abroad if they so wish.
Mind you, I don't believe a Derby County match against Mr Chow's Chinese Takeaway XI in Beijing would earn the Rams much revenue.
Scudamore continues: "I would be criticised if we let the Premier League stray into the slow lane while other leagues pass us."
Once again - claptrap. Straight into the slow lane? Isn't the Premier League already recognised as the strongest in the world?
Bottom
How do you even work out the mechanics of the global 39th Step League?
The clubs will go into the hat for the draw. Arsenal will be drawn against the bottom club Derby and United will get Chelsea - with three vital Premier League points up for grabs.
We can assume by that time that Arsenal have already scored 37 goals in the two league meetings against Derby while conceding none.
The Reds on the other hand have scored none and conceded none in their two encounters against Chelsea.
So - given those circumstances - the draw would be just a tad unjust on the Reds don't you think?
When will it dawn on those money-grabbing Premier League executives that their league consists of 38 games played on English soil with each team meeting each other twice.
It's OUR game not yours and we don't like it being messed about with.
No, it's not about money. You're not interested in the folding stuff. Your motives are strictly honourable.
Yep, and I'm Fergie's love child.
What do you think? Have your say.
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Good article, Paul. But you're talking about football, goals, league competitions and points: the premier league is talking about "brands", "customers", "profit" and "revenue streams". There used to be a time when football was about glory, when little boys went to the game on a Saturday afternoon with dad, watched their favourite player and came away thinking "I wish I could do that" and practised all week to try and do it. That ended with the formation of the premier league. We're now in the days of football as business pure and simple, and no doubt games played abroad will mean that thousands of kids in (presumably) Asia will force mum and dad to buy them a shirt, a burger, a drink and God knows what other tat for one day in their lives. The premier league can be really proud of that.
You've also missed the point Mr Hince, regarding the big 4 breaking away to a euro super league. This plan has been devised to try and pour more money into clubs in order to prevent the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Utd, Liverpool clearing off out of the premier league.
Dont just mock answers, give your own suggestions as to how you can generate more money in order to keep the big 'uns in the Premier League.
If the PL is to remain a closed shop of 4 (in reality 2.5) potential champions, all the more reason to happily wave the 4 goodbye to their euro/world league whatever. Far better to have a competitive league that is interesting
Agree with everything you say, Paul. This is all about money and is the thin end of the wedge. They are turning their backs on the very people who made them what they are.
For those who wish to register their disapproval, there is an on-line petition at www.fsf.org.uk/petitions/no-to-game-39/index.php
Agree with everything you say, Paul. This is all about money and is the thin end of the wedge.
For those who wish to register their disapproval, there is an on-line petition at http://www.fsf.org.uk/petitions/no-to-game-39/index.php
If game are sold to the highest bidder, as I understand it, what would happen if no-one bid for Fulham v Middlesborough or something similar.And if the games are all to be played over 1 weekend, what would happen if one game was postponed? (tidal wave, hurricane, civil war etc).
And another thing what would happen if one of the teams promoted from the championship didn't want to join in?
I'm sure I could go on finding fault in this ridiculous idea but here are a few to be going on with.
Plastic pitches or grass?
Top five clubs seeded - what would happen if you were in 6th place, 1 point behind fifth but with a game in hand?
Good one from Sepp Blatter, nipping this one in the bud!