14 May 2009English clubs 'could do more' to help Asian football

Football Conferences and Exhibitions | Football Finance News

English Premier League clubs need to do more to boost the finances of the sport in Asia, it has been suggested.

The head of the Asian Football Confederation Mohamed Bin Hammam has acknowledged that a number of top English clubs head to the continent to play friendlies and pre-season tournaments, according to Reuters.

However, after speaking at the Soccerex Forum at Wembley, he said: "Asia doesn't benefit much from these tours.

"We have to benefit from our potential. Europe has maybe exhausted the possibilities at home and have to look to another market and they have come to Asia."

Furthermore, he stated that the level of support offered by clubs did not necessarily have to be financial, as technical support and coaching exchanges could also be highly beneficial.

He also commented that it was important to improve the standards of club football in countries such as Thailand and China before any substantial inroads can be made towards winning a World Cup.

The biggest club event in Asian football is the AFC Champions League, a tournament which was won in 2008 by Japanese outfit Gamba Osaka.

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