Yes

by W.H. Garcia

Created on: February 14, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

This "gem of an idea", quoting Alex Ferguson's sarcastic remark regarding Richard Scudamore's grand plan to take Premier League games overseas, has confounded the critics and created excitement among its overseas supporters at the same time. As a fan in Asia, I am fully supportive of this idea. My answer to this question is a big yes - the Premier League should bring games outside of England, despite the fact that I still have some reservations regarding its feasibility and implementation.

I can understand the somewhat xenophobic reaction by the English towards this idea. Bringing games outside of England might, to a certain extent, mean sacrificing a part of their ownership of this well-established league. People have to start to realize that the Premier League is already a global brand. The league is on the globalization train and Richard Scudamore is taking the next logical step in speeding up the train.

Some observers have commented that this is another version of British Colonialism, which smacks of paranoia, to say the least. Clearly, it is the financial gain that can be expected from this venture that has lead to such comments. In fact, Richard Scudamore has not put up a facade by saying that this is a way of bringing something back to the fans. He has bluntly expressed his target of leveling the playing field in terms of finances for all twenty clubs in the top tier of English football. Besides the clubs involved, overseas fans stand to gain as well. A typical Asian fan would have to fork out in excess of a couple of thousand dollars to witness a live match in England. A hundred dollar ticket to a live match near you would suddenly seem like a bargain. Of course, that hundred dollar ticket would not let you experience the crowd atmosphere of an Old Trafford or an Anfield, but it is the next best thing for most of these fans who probably would never have an opportunity to visit England, let alone watch a live match.

So far, the responses from the Asian footballing authorities have been lukewarm. Many countries have opposed this plan on the basis that local sports should be protected. I am not sure that the football fans in these countries share the same sentiments. This is an all too familiar knee-jerk reaction to the "invasion of foreign football culture", reminiscent to the ludicrous circumstances surrounding Manchester United's canceled trip to Kuala Lumpur not too long ago. The footballing associations of these countries need to accept the fact that at this moment in time, European football reigns supreme. Preventing the staging of foreign matches is not going to promote domestic leagues overnight. Rather, fans will be left frustrated and it might prompt a retaliation reaction in the form of a boycott of domestic matches. It is really strange to see such a hostile reaction from these footballing associations, especially when they are not avail to employing foreigners to coach their national team.

My main concern is the implementation of the plan. Perhaps there is a more gradual way of introducing this. Rather than have an extra round of matches, maybe we can look into the idea of bringing a mid season round overseas, particularly during the winter season. Bringing a round of matches to warmer climate might serve as a mini winter break. In this way, teams would not have to have to bear the added burden of an extra round of matches and more importantly, the crucial second half of the season can still be played out fully in England. Another suggestion worth looking at is to bring the "non-consequential" matches like the Community Shield overseas.

Many fans outside of England have long been frustrated by the friendlies and the token teams sent out during the tours of many big European clubs. If this plan comes to fruition, fans all over the world would have the splendid chance of witnessing the true grit of English football, instead of Fabien Barthez running around as a midfielder.

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