Arsene Wenger has given his backing to the EPL's controversial plans for a 39th league game, to be played overseas.
His statement, released today, reads "There's two things I like about it."
"First there is a desire to innovate and be the strongest league in the world and the second thing is to do something for the fans abroad."
He was speaking on the BBC's Radio five live when he explained his views.
“When I came to Japan in 1995 we had to play 20% of our games at a neutral ground," he added.
"At the start I thought it was completely crazy, but it worked tremendously well and games were sold out everywhere we played.
"Just look back, for example, at Wembley and everyone celebrated the Americans playing an American Football game at Wembley.
"It was exactly the same idea. It's nothing different, which is why it is too early to speak against it."
In stark contrast, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez released a statement today opposing the overseas plan:
“"To play another game in another country is not right. You must play here in England with the same opportunities for every team”, he said.
Sepp Blatter, the current Fifa president, has condemned the plans, saying that “This does not take into consideration the fans of the clubs and it gives the impression that they just want to go on tour to make some money."
"This will never happen, at least as long as I am the president of Fifa," he added.
He also went on to add that “it will damage England's bid for the 2018 world cup”.
Let us know your thoughts and feelings towards the last week's events.
4 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Jamie Bentley about 1 year ago
I agree with the policy. Read my article to see why i think!
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
The FA today basically came out against it...Arsene and Avram have no power over UEFA, FIFA and the FA.
I just don't see why the EPL is going to take on all these bodies!
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Simon Martin about 1 year ago
I know - I don't see HOW they're going to win this one either.
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Chris Kirk about 1 year ago
This proposal suits Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, as the seeding system ensures they avoid playing eachother. It also suits the money men at EPL clubs to the tune of estimated £5m each per club, while poor Bournemouth and countless other lower league clubs stare administration in the face, absolutley sickening to me. Despite the concerns and fears of supporters foundations and associations Mr Scudamore is pursuing the idea further.
Unless all fans of all clubs unite and make a noticeable protest against this greedy venture they will continue to put a positive spin on it through the media until people become brainwashed into believing it might not be such a bad idea after all.
We are not seen as fans anymore, only as customers who will continue to buy the product no matter how bad it gets or how expensive. So the image of screeming Indonesian or Japanese kids holding placards with, We love Ronardo and Go-Go Wooney is a very real and frightning prospect for English football, One Im not sure I would be able to stomach.
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