Randy Lerner doesn't like the idea of overseas matches
Wednesday, 13 February 08, 06:09 AM · Comments (8)
The quotes doing the rounds today, if I'm not mistaken, are taken from quite a while ago and while I can't put a date on it I seem to remember it was about the time when the NFL came to Wembley stadium to play a league game.
What is also important to emphasise is, it's not about the 39th game - it's about playing games overseas.
If we put too much emphasis on the 'extra game' they'll just play one of the existing games overseas - this is the real issue, because in ten years it will be five games overseas - regardless of what they promise now.
When Mr Lerner was talking about the NFL games, he had this to say, "I wouldn't be comfortable with Villa v Manchester United, for instance, being played in Cleveland or New York or Beijing."
"You go to Goodison or Villa Park or St James' and the environment is vital. You take two teams and don't have the home fans – and don't have what is brought by the fans who have travelled – then you're dismantling something. I find that concerning."
I suggested in my first post about this that our owner would say something but what he has said above is an old quote and I'm also starting to doubt that this will actually happen.
I'm starting to doubt it because there is such a passionate dislike for this idea with the supporters that the Premier League may have little choice but to scrap the idea.
We'll have to wait and see, but it's nice to see that we've got an owner who will be voting against this - it would just be nice if we could see a few other club owners doing the same.
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8 Comments · Add yours
Somebody at our club still agreed to the plan though. Probably once the pound signs were put in front of their eyes.
I agree the article appears to have been manufactured from previous quotes, I just hope it is true.
If some of the nationals pick up and run with the story AVFC will have to release some sort of statement to confirm or deny their position.
If Randy gives these greedys barstewards the finger I think Villa will suddenly be the nations second team, and why not? We started the league, it is fitting that Villa should defend it.
I do hope that RL puts his foot down with a firm hand on this. The quotes may be from some time ago but are still relevant, Jononevilla puts it well - we'll defend what we helped create.
it dosnt matter if the fans and chairmen want it or not the matches are being played to attract new fans and play infront of fans that dont ever get to see premiership football live, im not sure if clubs have a say in whether or not they are pushed into these overseas matchs, they are governed by the FA and if the decision is made then they will have no choice, atleast i think that is the way it works!
I think UEFA and FIFA are against it which must help
Well, from what I've heard so far, they are opposed to it in Asia and the U.S. (according to the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation), so they are going to have a hard time having these overseas games if they can't have them in the the two markets where they'd most like to.
Personally, I think it'll go out the window just like the proposal to have cup winners play in the Champion's League.
But don't be surprised if the League Cup becomes the Microsoft Cup and the final is played in LA in a couple years.
nobody agreed to "the plan" they agreed that it was ok to look into it, if there was even anybody from Villa there.
Fifa have said it will never happen. LINK