AFC backs overseas EPL games
Posted
The chances of English Premier League (EPL) games being played in Australia have improved with the head of the Asian Football Confederation now supporting the idea.
The EPL was criticised for its plans to add a 39th game to its season to allow it to play matches in overseas locations.
Originally Mohamed Bin Hammam was reluctant to let the games be played in Asian Confederation countries.
But Mr Bin Hammam says he had not had the chance to discuss the idea with the EPL before.
"We never interact or contact the Premier League administration or senior officials, but when I had this chance to speak to them, to talk to them to discuss with them, I really find they are really expressible people," he said.
"They do care about the game and they do care the same way we do."
Mr Bin Hammam had strongly opposed the proposals announced in February for an "international round" of Premier League fixtures during the 2010-11 season.
"It's my belief that it's not a good idea to organise domestic leagues in other territories other than their own," he had said.
"My recommendation to the AFC Executive Committee would be to reject any initiatives of this nature."
However he has since met Mr Scudamore several times - including in London this week - to discuss how the Premier League can help Asian football and his stance has softened.
Mr Scudamore has also said fans should not expect any future proposal for the 39th game to be a repeat of the original idea.
"I see they are responsible people and I do not see it as all being about money and greed," Mr Bin Hammam was quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper.
"When we talked, I saw that Richard Scudamore does really care about football and fans and the national associations, and that touched us a lot.
"The Premier League is a brand which has a huge fan-base across Asia and I believe it has the will and initiative to help develop and support the game there."
-ABC/Reuters
