The 39th Game

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

  Wonder whether Sepp Blatter will do the right thing for once and blow this idea completely out of the water

On this matter at least Blatter said the right things in 2008 when it first reared its ugly head.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7237359.stm


"This will never happen, at least as long as I am the president of Fifa."

"I support the fans 100%," he said. "If I was a fan in England I would say: 'no, please play at home and don't go and exercise your talents abroad'.

"If the plan includes official league matches then, as a fan, I would protest against this."

THE SONS OF MCGREGOR

[UK Redsox]

You appear to be longing for a return to an era that's gone forever.

I don't deny it.  The past may, indeed, be a foreign country, but whilst they do things differently there, it doesn't necessarily mean that all progress is good.

The people running the game need to seek out new markets.

And its talk like that which rather proves my point.   

If Premier League cut their cloth according to the great wealth that they already enjoy - and more to the point, ensured that their competition was not distorted by the wealth of individual owners, there would be no need for seeking out new markets.

In order for that to work, all leagues would have to enact the same policy. Otherwise, the best talent will just drain to the leagues that don't abide by the model (just as the best players from outside Europe come to this continent nowadays and hove the best players within Europe gravitate to England, Spain and Italy).

If just England adopted the economic model you suggest, then, as is starting to happen with Rugby Union, players will start to leave for better money elsewhere.

[dave.woodhall]

Why does football have to continually seek new 'markets' (ie more money)? What's wrong with leaving the game as it is?

[KevinGage]

My default position is that I am opposed to it.

But other sports (such as AFL) allocate a certain amount of games for a 'home' side to be played in other parts of Australia where they think they can draw more revenue.

Juventus have switched home games to other venues outside of Turin as they draw more support in south and central Italy than they do at home.

And the Yanks came over here last week to a packed out Wembley for a Gridiron football match.

I can't see the bigger clubs going for it. But if, say, a team such as Wigan or Blackpool with  poor support or a smallish stadium were given the option of switching one of their games versus Man U or Liverpool to Hong Kong, Thailand or Malaysia would they go for it? If the numbers were to add up I think they would. That's effectively what it all boils down to. They could go the route of trying to sell themselves as pioneers. But really and truthfully they'd just be selling themselves.

[PeterWithesShin]

Why does football have to continually seek new 'markets' (ie more money)? What's wrong with leaving the game as it is?

Playing devils advocate, couldn't it be argued that if the game never evolved, then William McGregor wouldn't have sent out that letter?

[dave.woodhall]

Why does football have to continually seek new 'markets' (ie more money)? What's wrong with leaving the game as it is?

Playing devils advocate, couldn't it be argued that if the game never evolved, then William McGregor wouldn't have sent out that letter?

McGregor was interested in developing the sport. He knew the importance of healthy competition, hence sharing gate money. Game 39 has no driving factor other than to make even more money for the Premier League.

[Lucky Eddie]

It's back on the agenda. At least the principle of playing one round of the original 38 premiership matches in some far flung corner of 'our' target market. This time acceptability talks are based on the giving up of FA Cup replays and two legged League Cup semi-finals.

I despair.


Can't do links but it's on page 53 of today's i.

[Clampy]

It's the most pointless idea i've ever heard. I can't believe the F.A are trying it's best to kill it's own game.

[cdbearsfan]

I'm in favour of getting rid of FA Cup replays and two legged semis.

Playing games abroad can fuck off though. Glory-hunters only care about four or five teams. I've no interest in travelling ten thousand miles to lose in front of 80,000 Man U twats.

We can do that perfectly well in Manchester, thanks.

[Dave Cooper please]

I'm in favour of getting rid of FA Cup replays and two legged semis.

Two-legged semi's yes, although that just means the LC semi's will also then be played at Wembley.

Not FA Cup replays though, getting an away draw deserves a chance of having a go at your own ground.

[cdbearsfan]

Agree to an extent but I think there is too much emphasis placed on getting a draw. How many times in recent years has a team's fans done a pitch invasion after a draw? Just seems a bit sad.

It's better for paying spectators and for a televised audience to have it settled on the day. It's also better that big games are settled on a weekend when people can attend without having to take a day off work/school.

Plus the big clubs nearly always seem to win the replays. I think having extra-time and penalties would make the competition more exciting and produce more upsets.

[john e]

In my view World cups, FA cups and Champions leagues won on penalties don't count,
 all big games especially finals should be won by playing the game properly and scoring goals

I would have no penalty shoot outs, just keep playing replays Untill there is an eventual winner
That's the way it used to be in the FA cup etc, and that's how it should be now

[cdbearsfan]

You're mad. Penalty shoot-outs are ace.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

In my view World cups, FA cups and Champions leagues won on penalties don't count,
 all big games especially finals should be won by playing the game properly and scoring goals

I would have no penalty shoot outs, just keep playing replays Untill there is an eventual winner
That's the way it used to be in the FA cup etc, and that's how it should be now

Amen. Two sides bashing themselves senseless over replays was great stuff.

These were the days: http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/features/rewind_look_back/11082547.print/

[joe_c]

Chelsea v Man U in Sierra Leone would be good.