With the huge FA cup weekend coming up, you would have thought that the tabloid headlines would revolve around the Manchester United-Arsenal match. But instead it has been the Premier Laegue greatest act that has been the centre of attention lately ; for those of you who don't know yet, Premier League's all 20 clubs have agreed to explore the possibility of playing mathes abroad by extending the season to 39 games. The extra 10 matches will be played in 5 venues over a weekend, with cities bidding to host 2 matches each. the matches will be decided by a draw, with the top 5 sides seeded so that they will not play each other. Most importantly, the points from these matches will count towards the final Premier League table. This proposal has faced criticism from all quarters and many "no to game 39" petitions have been set up.

I feel the clubs are considering playing games overseas only for the money. Each club will earn around 5 million pounds by playing just one game abroad. The Premier League claims the extra-income will be invested in the grass-roots thus benefiting the English football in general. In addition, overseas fans will be able to see their footballing idols in some 'real'action and clubs will have the oppurtunity to increase their fan-base. However' the proposal has so many drawbacks that I don't see it being implemented any time soon.

Firstly, player burn-out and fixture congestion has always been an issue with the managers. The lack of success of English clubs at European level and the English national team has been attributed to the fact that the Premier League has no winter break to allow players to rest. A mid-season trip round the world will only increase the players' chances of getting fatigued and being off the pace for the rest of the season.

Secondly, many countries will not welcome Premier Laegue's matches. Why would they want to lose their advertisers and sponsors to their foreign rivals? They will want to protect their own clubs and leagues. The football cheifs of Japan and America nhave already stated that they will not be interested in hosting any Premier League matches. With the AFC president also saying that Asia should give protection to its own Leagues.

The biggest flaw in the proposal is the draw that will determine all 10 of the extra matches. Consider this scenario; two teams are fighting to avoid relegation. One team gets relegated because it draws Manchester United in the 39th game but the other survives because it draws Derby. This should be totally unacceptable. If this happens, the League will lose its current position as a fair competition.

Majority of the fans have been criticising the proposal from day one. The "No To Game 39" petitions have received enormous suppport. Many feel that the English football will lose its football and culture, if the games are played overseas, others fear that more and more matches will be staged outside England with time. The League managers have had a mix response to the proposal. Many think its a farce, on the other hand some think that change is not always bad.

Here is what some of the managers had to say.

"What disappoints me is (United chief executive) David Gill phoned me and said 'keep this quiet, we are going to discuss it' and then it's all over the papers this morning. They can't keep their mouth shut down there.

"I think if they are going to do these things, they should have been enquiring and having discussions with managers and players before they come out with all this stuff and make an issue of it."
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

"I'm not against an innovative attitude if it respects the competitive side of our league, if it respects the fans and promotes the quality of our Premier League."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

"I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing. From what I understand, it has been well thought out. The trouble with a lot of people is when something new comes into the arena, they want to find reasons to knock it. I am not against change."
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan

"Clubs could become like the Harlem Globetrotters. It will start with one game and then next year or the year after until eventually I can see us playing quite a few games in different parts of the world."
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp

"It's bad enough with international friendlies, let alone going overseas. I read the other day that games are going out to 22 or 23 countries. It's quite unbelievable, it gets everywhere, so I wouldn't be surprised, although there will be a few irate people. Can you imagine going to Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) and telling him 'by the way, you're not playing at home this week, you are playing in Japan'? I'd like to see it!"
Wigan manager Steve Bruce

"Is it April 1? I find it highly unlikely it would happen. I wouldn't think it would be a realistic proposition."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with playing matches overseas. But either they should be friendlies or cup games. The proposal to play Premier League matches abroad should be dropped immediately, simply because of the criticism it has received. If the proposal is implemented, I fear Premier League will turn into a joke and many fans will not bother with it anymore.

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