Liverpool chairman determined to see Premier League games played in USA
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner says he is determined to see a Premier League match played in New York and wants the matches moved to different locations around the world.
The concept of having domestic matches played abroad is controversial and the Premier League has no plans to implement such an idea. However, FIFA will set up a working group to make recommendations on the matter, bringing it one step closer to realization.
“I am determined to have a Premier League match played in New York City one day,” Werner said told the Financial Times. “I even have this crazy idea that there would be a day where we would play one match in Tokyo, one match a few hours later in Los Angeles, one match a few hours later in Rio, one match a few hours later in Riyadh. and make it a kind of day where football, where the Premier League, is celebrated.”
To appease domestic fans, Werner suggests they could be compensated with cheap travel and accommodation to attend matches abroad. However, in the same interview, Liverpool owner John Henry said the idea was “not something I advocate or am particularly interested in”.
Sixteen years ago, the Premier League proposed playing a 39th match at venues outside Britain, but had to cancel after opposition from FIFA.
Currently, competitive matches are not allowed to take place in another country, but rule changes became possible after FIFA settled a legal dispute with US promoter Relevent Sports. FIFA confirmed it had reached an agreement “pending… the consideration of changes to existing FIFA policy regarding the playing of official season matches outside a competition’s home territory”.
Premier League clubs regularly visit the US for pre-season tours. Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all traveling to the country for friendlies this summer. United played Arsenal at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in front of a crowd of 82,262, showing the country’s appetite for football.
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La Liga wants to move matches to other countries by 2025 and many major clubs are interested in such a proposal as they want to maximize revenues by tapping into new markets.