Premiership Is Sunk

Mar 9 2008

SEPP BLATTER has dismissed the Premiership's idea of taking a 39th game to the world as "nonsense".

English chiefs have proposed each top flight side playing an extra game a season abroad as they try to globalise their brand.

But FIFA's top man blasted them for abusing their players and fans for profit.

Blatter rapped: "On one side the clubs are saying their players are much too affected by games.

"They are saying 'We have 38 league matches, play Cup competitions, UEFA Cup, Champions League then we have to put these players out for national teams even for friendly games'.

"They say 'Let them rest'. Then they say the want to develop football!

"Ask the fans how they identify with that - to play after going 10 or 12 hours one way then the same back to California just for a match. This is a charity for who?

"You cannot ask to reduce the national calendar or change the Africa Cup of Nations Cup from January to summer then try to arrange these things. It's a nonsense."