29 Oct 2008Scudamore not ruling out 39th game

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has claimed that he is still hopeful of pressing ahead with plans to introduce a 39th game for English football's top flight.

Scudamore originally made the proposal of playing one Premier League game per season abroad earlier this year but it was greeted with widespread derision throughout country.

Although he has admitted he was a bit surprised by just how negatively the idea was received, Scudamore has refused to rule out the possibility of revisiting the plans.

He said: "It would be ridiculous of me to say the reaction hasn't moved us back to, if not the drawing board, then certainly the think tank. It has probably pushed the timelines back as well.

"But in terms of playing meaningful games abroad, hopefully it will happen within my lifetime, hopefully within my soccer administration career."

Scudamore also pointed out that the concept has been on the Premier League's agenda for a considerable period of time as they look to further enhance the league's global image.

The Premier League was officially formed on February 20th, 1992 after clubs in the old First Division agreed to break away from the rest of the Football League.

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