A 39th step too far by greedy Premier League (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

A 39th step too far by greedy Premier League

7:16pm Friday 15th February 2008

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It was a few years back in those heady Premiership days.
I was on holiday in the Canaries and walked into a bar showing City and Southampton live from Valley Parade.
Given the table, it was a crunch game – particularly for the Bantams.
Other than the bored girl serving beer, I was the only one in the place…
So much for selling this wonderful football product to the world.
Neither club, of course, remain in the top flight. But do you think the
modern equivalent, say Fulham against Wigan, is going to pack them in?
Yet Richard Scudamore is trying to tell us that the globe is desperate to see Premiership football in the flesh.
Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal maybe. But forget the rest.
It’s been reassuring to hear that the rest of the world are not that bothered about these matches being foisted upon them.
To describe the reaction from the other football associations as lukewarm is being generous. Asia and Australia don’t want the Premiership in their own back garden; America are less than keen.
Managers, notably Sir Alex Ferguson, are up in arms; players can’t be too impressed at the prospect of travelling thousands of miles mid-season.
And then there is that band of hardy souls that Scudamore skims over. What’s their name? Oh yes, the fans.
Scudamore claims the supporters will relish the chance of combining a league match with a holiday. The money involved in paying out for that privilege is no object – in his eyes at least.
That’s the whole point. This 39th game is down to pure greed, nothing else.
The Premier League is determined to drive the plan through regardless. All they see is the mega cash on offer.
The cost to the fabric of the
competition is immaterial.