The Premier League and its clubs have continued to examine the possibility of adding matches overseas in the United States.
The aim to hold a 39th round of contests at different places across the globe was denied six years ago by FIFA and other domestic officials, but an interest in completing this task appears to have been been renewed.
“The clubs wanted it (the regular season game abroad in 2008) and they all would still probably want it now,” Scudamore told the BBC. “It will happen at some point. Whether it is on my watch, who knows?”
League chief executive Richard Scudamore has said that team management within the PL still believe the idea of expansion is achievable, though.
And sources have told the Associated Press that clubs have inquired to the league about a course of action regarding global extensions.
For now, the AP acknowledges that organizing regular season games in various countries could be tricky “in the near future.” But league officials apparently want to go full-steam ahead with the spreading of friendly matches, and also the introduction of the PL continental trophies (i.e. Premier League Asia trophy).
Preseason games, especially in the United States, have gained significant interest over the past couple of years. In August, the Manchester United-Real Madrid friendly at the “The Big House,” recording over 109,000 people in attendance.
Talking about these successful preseason fixtures, United managing director Richard Arnold said the AP: “That’s still an area that’s under some development. You’ve seen on the tour the engagement we get abroad.”
“You wouldn’t get more even if there was three points, six points, or even nine points riding on that particular game,” Scudamore said of pre-season friendlies in general.
Soccer fans around the globe can only wait and see what changes are in store, but it’s easy to understand that regular season competitions abroad will not materialize for awhile, considering varied opinions about the action itself.