Game 39

{{Short description|Proposed extra round in English football's Premier League}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{good article}} [[File:Sepp Blatter (2009).jpg|thumb|right|Sepp Blatter, then president of FIFA, football's world governing body, strongly opposed the highly controversial "game 39" proposal.]] '''"Game 39"''' or the '''international round''' was a proposed extra round of matches in the Premier League to be played at neutral venues outside England. The top football league in England, the Premier League, is played on a double round robin format, where each of the 20 teams in the league plays each of the other 19 teams home and away, giving a total of 380 games, 38 for each team. The international round was proposed at a meeting of the 20 Premier League clubs on 7 February 2008, with a view to being introduced for the 2010–11 season, when a new television broadcasting rights contract would be in place. The proposed start date was later put back to 2013–14. The proposal was reportedly endorsed by the chairmen of a number of Premier League clubs.

Game 39 resulted in opposition from several club managers. The proposal also met with strong condemnation from supporters' organisations, who saw it as solely motivated by money to the detriment of fans. Sepp Blatter, then-president of the sport's global governing body FIFA, expressed a negative opinion of the proposal and stated that it could affect England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, and the football authorities in a number of the areas suggested as venues for the matches were also opposed. In May 2010, the Premier League said that it was no longer actively considering game 39,<ref>{{cite news|title=Premier League rules out revival of 39th-game proposal|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/09/premier-league-39th-round|work=The Guardian|access-date=31 January 2013|date=9 May 2010}}</ref> but in October 2014 it was said to be re-considering the idea.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gibson|first=Owen|title=Premier League to look again at playing competitive matches abroad|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/oct/07/premier-league-38th-game-overseas-fixtures|access-date=25 October 2014|work=The Guardian|date=7 October 2014}}</ref>

==Proposal== The Premier League, the top-level football league in England, contains 20 member clubs, with each playing the others once at home and once away for a total of 38 games per season.<ref name="tel0208">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/08/sfnfro108.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210152752/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F02%2F08%2Fsfnfro108.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 February 2008 |title=Premier League to embark on world tour |first=David |last=Bond |date=8 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref> The proposal envisaged each team playing one further match, a total of ten extra matches, over one weekend in January.<ref name="tel0208"/> Two matches would be played in each of five cities, one each on Saturday and Sunday.<ref name="tel0208"/> Cities would bid for the right to stage matches, but would not be able to specify which teams would be involved.<ref name="tel0208"/> The matches would be held at staggered start times, with venues in different time zones, making it possible in theory to watch live television coverage of all ten.<ref name="tel0208"/> There are conflicting reports about whether the draw for the extra fixtures would be seeded or not.<ref name="winter12">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/12/sfnfro112.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218002601/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F02%2F12%2Fsfnfro112.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2008 |title=Richard Scudamore signals his intent for future |first=Henry |last=Winter |date=12 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref>

The week prior to the international round would be free of matches, to allow for travel and acclimatisation.<ref name="tel0208"/> The week after the international round would see each team face one of the teams which had played at the same foreign venue, to avoid any disadvantage for teams with a longer round-trip.<ref name="winter12"/> Venues suggested for international-round matches were Australia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Gulf States, and North America.<ref name="tel0208"/> All are wealthy regions where interest in English football is strong relative to the level of the domestic game. Venues would have warm, predictable weather, unlike England in January.<ref name="tel0208"/>

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore initially said there would not be more than one international round per season, stating "I stress that on my watch, there will be no 40th game. The value [of a 39th game] is in its uniqueness, in that festival weekend, so there's no point in diluting it".<ref name="winter"/> Subsequently, he suggested the initial plan would last six to ten years and might be altered.<ref name="winter11">{{cite news |last=Winter |first=Henry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/11/sfnwin111.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212033341/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F02%2F11%2Fsfnwin111.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 February 2008 |title=Richard Scudamore reneges on foreign fixtures |date=11 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref>

==Development== Foreshadowing the plan were the Premier League Asia Trophy, started in 2003, and the NFL International Series American football game played at Wembley Stadium in London in 2007.<ref name="tel0208"/> Rod Eddington pitched the idea of an international round to the Premier League in autumn 2007.<ref name="murdochman">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/14/sfnfro214.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217154726/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F02%2F14%2Fsfnfro214.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 February 2008 |title=Murdoch man behind League's global plan |first=David |last=Bond |date=14 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref> Eddington was chairman of Victorian Major Events Company and a friend of Rupert Murdoch, owner of Sky Sports and other networks with broadcasting rights to the Premier League.<ref name="murdochman"/> He suggested his home city of Melbourne as an inaugural host city.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} A presentation to the Premier League's audit-and-remuneration committee was made two weeks before the public announcement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/02/22/time_for_scuby_to_admit_his_ow.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227195744/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/02/22/time_for_scuby_to_admit_his_ow.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2008 |title=Time for Scuby to admit his own shortcomings |first=Matt |last=Scott |date=22 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-22 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> An initial business plan predicted extra earnings from the international round of between £40 million and £80 million per year.<ref name="tel0208"/>

The Premier League put in place a working party to negotiate with the various concerned parties.<ref name="winter12"/> They initially stated that, to proceed with the plan, it needed the support only of the Football Association (FA) and the football governing bodies of the countries of the host cities.<ref name="winter11"/> It attempted to secure the support of the FA for the proposal by promising to rearrange club fixtures for better convenience to players called up to the England team.<ref name="winter">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/08/sfnfro108.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210152752/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F02%2F08%2Fsfnfro108.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 February 2008 |title=Premier League must not alienate ordinary fans |first=Henry |last=Winter |date=8 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref> Scudamore planned to meet officials from the sport's global governing body FIFA, before its executive committee meeting in Zürich on 14 March 2008.<ref name="winter11"/> On 27 February, after several weeks of mostly negative reaction, Scudamore agreed with Jérôme Valcke, general secretary of FIFA, that the meeting would be postponed indefinitely.<ref name="guar27feb">{{cite news |work=The Guardian |date=27 February 2008 |title=Scudamore forced to climb down over Game 39 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/27/premierleague |first=Paul |last=Kelso |access-date=2008-02-28}}</ref> The Premier League presented this as an opportunity to rethink its proposals, and said that it would not proceed without FIFA approval.<ref name="guar27feb"/>

In May 2008, Scudamore told BBC Radio 5 Live that the proposal was "not over", but that the League would "come up with something that ticks more boxes" by January 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=533974&&cc=3888 |title=Scudamore – 39th game idea 'not over' |publisher=ESPNsoccernet |date=11 May 2008 |access-date=2008-06-03 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525191756/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=533974&&cc=3888 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In August 2008, Scudamore said that the League had "a whole host of ideas, some more radical than others, but none quite as radical as the original concept".<ref>{{cite news|title= Game 39 on hold |last=Bascombe |first=Chris |date=17 August 2008 |work=News of the World}}</ref> In October 2008, he said Game 39 was still a possibility,<ref name="sbp"/> although the timing of TV contracts meant it would be in the 2013–14 season at the earliest.<ref name="pp2013">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/3168613/Five-year-wait-for-Game-39-of-Premier-League-Football.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011030634/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/3168613/Five-year-wait-for-Game-39-of-Premier-League-Football.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 October 2008 |title=Five-year wait for Game 39; Premier League run out of time to negotiate TV deal for international round |last=Kelso |first=Paul |date=10 October 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2009-10-14}}</ref> An agreement in December 2008 between the Premier League and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) was linked to Game 39 by the media.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7779124.stm |title=Premier League agrees Asia link |date=12 December 2008|publisher=BBC|access-date=2009-10-14}}</ref>

==Reactions==

===In England=== [[Image:David Gold.jpg|thumb|right|upright|David Gold, then chairman of Birmingham City, endorsed the idea.]] David Gold, chairman of Birmingham City, endorsed the plan in part because the larger clubs have in any case already been exploiting foreign markets, with pre-season and even mid-season tours; Game 39 would distribute its revenue among all the clubs.<ref name="fans"/> On 15 February, Liverpool F.C. chief executive Rick Parry stated that the proposal had "never been on Liverpool's club agenda" and acknowledged the concern of the club's fans and manager.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parry: Game 39 not 'On Liverpool's agenda' |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=508155 |publisher=ESPNsoccernet |date=15 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525165140/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=508155 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Paul Hayward, writing in ''The Guardian'', said that the proposal would destroy the balance of the home-and-away round-robin league.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/20/seven-deadly-sins-football-gluttony-premier-league-game-39 |title=Foul play: The seven deadly sins of football: Day five: Gluttony: The Premier League and Game 39: England, 2008 |last=Hayward |first=Paul |date=20 May 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=2009-10-14}}</ref> The Football Supporters' Federation (FSF) condemned the proposal as being motivated by money, and dubbed it "Gam£39".<ref name="fans">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/08/sfnfro108.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210152752/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2008%2F02%2F08%2Fsfnfro108.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 February 2008 |title=Premier League money-driven, say angry fans |first=Jeremy |last=Wilson |date=8 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}</ref> In March 2008, FSF ended its campaign of opposition by declaring the proposal "effectively dead".<ref name="fsf"> {{cite web |url=http://www.fsf.org.uk/campaigns/news110endofgame39.php |title=End of Game 39 |publisher=Football Supporters' Federation |access-date=2008-06-03 }} </ref> Many die-hard fans who pride themselves on travelling to all their teams' away matches would have been unable to travel abroad for "Game 39".<ref name="winter"/> On the other hand, exotic foreign venues would potentially be more appealing destinations for fans than a mundane English city.<ref name="winter12"/> Managers of Premier League clubs reported to be opposed to or sceptical of the plans included Steve Bruce,<ref name="fans"/> Roy Hodgson,<ref name="fans"/> Gareth Southgate,<ref name="fans"/> and Rafael Benítez.<ref name="bbcfa"/> Alex Ferguson criticised the club owners for lack of consultation with managers.<ref name="bbcplat"/> Arsène Wenger,<ref name="bbcfa"/><ref name="bbcplat"/><ref name="blatter"/> Roy Keane,<ref name="bbcplat"/> Kevin Keegan,<ref name="bbcplat"/> and Avram Grant<ref name="blatter"/> supported the proposal. 'Game 39' was also defended as a move to head off plans for a World League involving only elite clubs such as those formerly in the G-14 group.<ref name="winter12"/>

Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, cautioned that football should "not forget its roots".<ref name="fans"/> Gordon Taylor of the Professional Footballers' Association expressed concern about increased pressure on players.<ref name="bbcplat"/> The FA on 15 February expressed "serious reservations" that the proposal might damage England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.<ref name="bbcfa">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7246314.stm |title=FA concerned over top-flight plan |date=15 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/16/newsstory.sport |work=The Guardian |title=Nervous FA rules Game 39 a step too far: Potentially fatal blow to Premier League's plan: Barwick not willing to risk damage to World Cup bid |first=Paul |last=Kelso |date=16 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17}}</ref> An FA board meeting on 21 February concluded that the plan was "unsustainable in its current format".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/21/ufnprem121.xml |title=FA oppose Premier League's 39th step |first=Patrick |last=Nathanson |date=21 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-22 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Elsewhere=== The proposal was condemned by Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, who said it brought the game into disrepute and would adversely affect England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.<ref name="blatter">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/15/sfnfro415.xml |title=Wenger hits out at Blatter over 'Game 39'|date=15 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He also said "Football cannot be like the Harlem Globetrotters or a circus".<ref> {{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/15/sfnfro415.xml&page=2 |title=Wenger hits out at Blatter over 'Game 39'(page 2) |date=15 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Michel Platini of the sport's European governing body, UEFA, called it a "nonsense idea".<ref name="bbcplat">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7234304.stm |title=Platini scorns global games plan |date=9 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Strong reservations were expressed by the Korean FA, and the Japanese FA opposed the plan.<ref name="asia">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/12/newsstory.sport11 |work=The Guardian |title=Asian Football Confederation rejects global proposals: 'It is not a good idea to organise domestic leagues in territories other than their own' |first=John |last=Ashdown |author2=news agencies |date=12 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17}}</ref> Middle-eastern FAs were reportedly more positive.<ref name="asia"/> In February 2008 AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam said he would "vote strongly against" the proposal;<ref name="murdochman"/> in June he was prepared to reconsider if the plan had FA support;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/2303732/Premier-League-Game-39-back-on-agenda-after-head-of-Asian-footballs-U-turn.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505150307/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/2303732/Premier-League-Game-39-back-on-agenda-after-head-of-Asian-footballs-U-turn.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2013|title=Game 39 back on agenda after head of Asian football's U-turn|date=21 June 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2009-10-14}}</ref> in October he said he would welcome it if the League shared revenue with the AFC.<ref name="sbp">{{cite news|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2008/10/12/story36613.asp|title=Credit crunch helps put 'Game 39' back on the agenda|last=Maher|first=Linda|date=12 October 2008|work=Sunday Business Post|access-date=2009-10-14}}{{Dead link|date=July 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/10/footballpolitics |title=Yes from Asia puts Game 39 back on menu |last=Conn |first=David |date=12 October 2008 |work=The Guardian|access-date=2009-10-14}}</ref> The Hong Kong FA said it was "very interested" in hosting games.<ref> {{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/15/sfnfro415.xml&page=3 |title=Wenger hits out at Blatter over 'Game 39' (page 3) |date=15 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Daily Telegraph }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Football Federation Australia said it would oppose it if it impacted its own A-League.<ref name="murdochman"/> Ivan Gazidis, deputy commissioner of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, said that MLS would welcome the plan if it had FIFA approval.<ref>{{cite news |title=MLS keen to be involved: Deputy commissioner awaits Fifa verification |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3129562,00.html |publisher=Sky Sports |date=10 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17}}</ref> Sunil Gulati, the president of the US Soccer Federation, said the USSF would be guided by FIFA about approving any matches.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/america-deals-blow-to-scudamores-global-plan-781104.html |title=America deals blow to Scudamore's global plan |first=Nick |last=Harris|date=12 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-17 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

==Aftermath== Since 2013, Relevent Sports has run the International Champions Cup, a series of summer matches between teams from the Premier League and other top European sides, held in overseas markets including Asia and North America. In August 2018, Relevent announced a partnership with La Liga under which a regular-season fixture would be staged in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=La Liga set to stage match in US as battle to match Premier League grows |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/16/la-liga-stage-match-us |access-date=17 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=16 August 2018}}</ref> The proposal was compared to Game 39 in ''The Guardian'' by Ed Aarons, who speculated both that opposition from Spanish fans might stop Relevant's plan, and that Relevent might seek a similar arrangement with the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aarons |first=Ed |title=Could La Liga's US venture spark a Premier export?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/aug/16/la-liga-us-deal-39th-game-premier-league |access-date=17 August 2018 |work=The Guardian |date=16 August 2018}}</ref> The Royal Spanish Football Federation has held its Supercopa abroad since 2018, but prevents La Liga matches taking place outside Spain.<ref>{{multiref| {{cite web |title=LaLiga's hopes of overseas matches dealt new blow |url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-au/football/la-liga/articles/laligas-hopes-of-overseas-matches-dealt-new-b |website=BeIN Sports |access-date=27 July 2023 |language=en |date=2 December 2021 }} | {{cite web |title=Supercopa de Espana set to be played abroad |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47291690.amp |website=BBC Sport |access-date=27 July 2023 |date=19 February 2019}} }}</ref> In 2019, US Soccer refused to sanction foreign league fixtures on U.S. territory, in line with a 2018 FIFA policy. Relevent sued under the Sherman Antitrust Act and in 2024 FIFA agreed to consider changing its policy.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/09/fifa-court-deal-could-open-way-for-european-league-matches-in-us |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 April 2024 |title=Fifa court deal could open way for European league matches in US |agency=Associated Press }}</ref> La Liga once again planned to hold a league match in the United States in December 2025, between FC Barcelona (who originally planned to headline the initial first United States game) and Villarreal, once again in partnership with Relevent. Additionally, Serie A planned to stage a match in Perth, Australia in February 2026 between AC Milan and Como 1907, partly owing to Milan hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2025/06/11/optus-stadium-lined-up-for-landmark-serie-a-match/|title=Optus Stadium ‘lined up’ for landmark Serie A match|first=Rob|last=Ridley|work=The Stadium Business|date=11 June 2025}}</ref> Both matches were approved by UEFA under extraordinary circumstances, but both were later cancelled, LaLiga owing their cancellation due to team and fan protests, while Serie A's Perth match was cancelled due to last-minute demands imposed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).<ref>{{cite news |last1=MacInnes |first1=Paul |title=La Liga announces cancellation of Villarreal-Barcelona match’s move to Miami |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/oct/21/la-liga-announces-cancellation-of-villarreal-barcelona-matchs-move-to-miami |access-date=21 October 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=21 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Millington |first1=Adam |title=AC Milan v Como: Serie A game in Australia cancelled |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cj013mdzglyo |access-date=17 February 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 December 2025}}</ref>

In September 2021, the Premier League told Sky Sports "there are no plans to extend the Premier League season to 39 games and play matches abroad", but there were initial proposals to "make pre-season matches more competitive, whilst also potentially opening up lucrative new international markets".<ref>{{cite news |title=Premier League: No plans to play matches abroad or extend season to 39 games|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/12419747/premier-league-no-plans-to-play-matches-abroad-or-extend-season-to-39-games |access-date=27 September 2021 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=27 September 2021}}</ref> In 2023 Phil Murphy, the governor of New Jersey and a 2026 World Cup executive, said he "would love to think" Premier League matches would be played in his state but "the clubs have not been wild about" the idea.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jamie |title=World Cup executive feels Premier League could stage games in the US |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/25/premier-league-games-us-world-cup-phil-murphy-new-jersey |access-date=26 July 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=25 July 2023}}</ref> Premier League CEO Richard Masters said after an April 2024 meeting of European Leagues, "The door looks ajar potentially in America anyway but it’s not one of our current plans, it really isn’t."<ref>{{cite web |work=The Athletic |date=26 April 2024 |title=Premier League CEO Richard Masters slams FIFA over lack of consultation on Club World Cup expansion |first=Tom |last=Burrows |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5449563/2024/04/26/richard-masters-club-world-cup-man-city/ }}</ref> In response the Football Supporters' Association (FSA, successor to the FSF) promised to oppose any such move.<ref>{{cite news |work=The Guardian |date=30 April 2024 |title=Fans' body pledges 'studs to the knee' response if Game 39 plans are revived |agency=Press Association |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/apr/30/football-supporters-association-pledges-studs-to-knee-response-if-game-39-plans-revived-premier-league }}</ref>

In October 2024, the Labour government introduced a bill to establish an Independent Football Regulator for England and Wales.<ref name="Hughes2025"/><ref>{{multiref| Department for Culture, Media & Sport (29 April 2025) [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/football-governance-bill-2024-supporting-documents/fact-sheet-the-independent-football-regulator-ifr Fact sheet - the Independent Football Regulator (IFR)]| UK Parliament (2025) [https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3832/stages Football Governance Bill {{bracket|HL}}] }}</ref> In May 2025, ''The Guardian'' reported plans to amend the bill to strengthen the regulator's power to prohibit domestic matches being held overseas.<ref name="Hughes2025">{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Matt |title=Government ready to back plan for ban on Premier League games abroad |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/02/government-premier-league-games-abroad-football-regulator |access-date=2 May 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=2 May 2025 }}</ref>

In October 2025, it was reported that Australia's National Rugby League (NRL), the top division of rugby league in the country, were exploring the possibility of having the opening round of the 2027 season held entirely in markets outside of Australia and New Zealand, following their successful Las Vegas opening round matches held since 2023. In addition to Las Vegas, cities such as Toulouse, London, Dubai and Honolulu were floated to host matches for this "global round".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Patterson |first1=Emily |title='You want to have more of those experiences': Nathan Cleary all in on NRL's global round plan |url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-global-round-plans-peter-vlandys-andrew-abdo-nathan-cleary-comments-20251026-p5n5cz.html |access-date=11 November 2025 |work=Nine |date=26 October 2025 |language=en}}</ref> While comparisons have been made between it and the proposed Rugby 360 (R360) breakaway rugby union competition,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodsir |first1=Charles |title=Why Global Round might not be a viable option for the NRL |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2025/10/27/nrl-2025-the-several-logistical-issues-that-face-nrls-global-round |access-date=11 November 2025 |work=1116 SEN}}</ref> the NRL proposal is more similar to Game 39.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7233395.stm|title=Pros & cons of global Premier plan |publisher=BBC |date=8 February 2008 |access-date=2008-02-22 |first=David |last=Ornstein |author2=Pranav Soneji }}

{{Premier League}}

Category:Premier League Category:Sports business Category:2007–08 in English football Category:2008–09 in English football Category:Proposals in sports