Premier League respond to 'plans' of fixtures being played abroad

The Premier League are adamant they have no plans to take games abroad.

Shareholders held a meeting last week to re-examine the possibility of playing fixtures overseas

Top-flight chiefs are looking to tap into emerging markets with China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and the USA highlighted as potential areas of growth.

The Athletic reports that at a meeting in the Landmark Hotel in Marylebone, London discussions where held.

Efforts to enhance the Premier League's global appeal could start with a pre-season tournament in the United States next summer.

There is a belief that billions of new fans could be attracted to the Premier League despite it already enjoying a sky high reputation.

The Premier League have dismissed the possibility of taking games abroad

The top flight's annual general meeting in June raised the idea of "taking Premier League matches to the world" and these look to have become a step closer after more talks.

Domestic fans will understandably be concerned to hear that playing competitive matches outside of the UK is being considered.

However the Premier League maintain they will not be taking their product around the globe.

There is a desire to make their current pre-season tournaments more appealing, but that is where there plans end.

Former chief executive Richard Scudamore has previously discussed the divisive change and does believe one day it will happen after he proposed the idea during his tenure.

Back in August 2014 he claimed: "It will happen at some point."

Gary Neville has called for an independent regulator but in a recent interview Scudamore hit back at the idea, claiming "it is every clubs right to push for more power and more revenue."

13 years ago the concept of a "39th game" was explored which would've seen an extra round of fixtures at five different overseas venues, earning each club around £5m.

Clubs often jet off around the globe for pre-season tours

Such an idea that heavily criticised by the Football Association, UEFA and FIFA.

Attempts at utilising the Premier League's huge reach have continued into the present day with the Super League attempts still raw with many.

The country's elite sides have continued to explore ways to boost their earnings, despite already enjoying a huge advantage over many of their competitors.

Would you attend a Premier League game abroad? Have your say in the comments.

Chief executive Richard Masters has said previously "it would be wrong for me to speculate about which bits of it may or not be in. Nothing is off the table, and we're discussing all aspects of the game."

He's also added: "I think the pandemic has brought forward a lot of discussions about systemic change not just in English football but across Europe and the world.

"I think what's important on those points is to have a plan, and that's the real purpose of our strategic review to try to unite our 20 clubs and the whole of domestic football around a plan which covers the calendar, competition structure, finance, all of those things.

"That's what we're trying to achieve."