Premier League cancels talks with Fifa over 39th game
The Premier League's meeting with Fifa and Sepp Blatter has been cancelled
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Tuesday, 26, Feb 2008 08:51
The Premier League has revealed its meeting with Fifa to discuss the controversial '39th game' plans has been cancelled.
Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, was originally scheduled to meet with Fifa in order to promote the plans, which would see each Premier League team play one game abroad every season.
However, in a statement the league said: "It is our considered view following these discussions that we need to conduct further internal studies and consultation before seeking the advice of the world governing body Fifa and the key confederations."
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has been one of the high-profile names to voice their objections to the proposal, even saying the plans will "not happen as long as I am president".
The FA has rejected the idea, saying it is unworkable, and fans have also been quick to dismiss the proposal.
Although the Premier League is unlikely to drop the plans altogether, it now seems that they will have to drastically remodel the scheme in order to get the approval of football's governing bodies.
The idea was first announced on February 7th and involved teams generating cash by playing an extra game in countries such as the United States and Korea.