Premier League clubs interested in a 39^th matchday played abroad

"The clubs wanted it then and they all would still probably want it now. It will happen at some point. Whether it is on my watch, who knows?" said Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, regarding the addition of a 39^th matchday played abroad, on 13/08/2014.

The 20 Premier League clubs agreed in February 2008 to explore the option of organising an additional Premier League matchday abroad. At the time, Michel Platini, the president of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations), described the initiative as a "nonsense idea" and the FA (Football Association) rejected the proposal. Joseph Blatter, president of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), said in March 2009: "This idea to play a 39^th round outside the country does not work."

It was reported in 2008 that the 10 fixtures of the 39^th matchday could be played overseas at five different foreign cities, chosen following a tender. Each city would host one game on Saturday and the other on Sunday. The fixtures could be determined by a draw, with the teams that finished in the top five of the…