Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has admitted that he would be open-minded about playing Premier League matches abroad (via Evening Standard).
The idea of playing English top flight matches in another country has been around a while now, but proposals for the so-called “Game 39” were shelved back in 2017 (BBC Sport).
The concept has been used in Spain however, with their domestic super cup competition being revamped and played in Saudi Arabia recently (BBC Sport). It featured four clubs, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Valencia, as opposed to before when it was traditionally the La Liga winners against the Copa Del Rey winners.
It seems that Levy would be open to the idea of doing something similar in English football and when speaking about potentially playing Premier League games abroad in an interview with Cambridge University student paper Varsity, he said: “It’s important that we are always open-minded to anything that is proposed. We are in an industry where we are competing for talent, viewership and sponsors with other leagues across the world alongside other sports so we can never rule it out completely.
His comments haven’t gone down well with many Tottenham fans however, who seem dead against the idea of taking games to foreign countries and are angry that Levy would even consider it. Here is what some had to say about it on Twitter…
What did you expect from this disgraceful human being, the only thing he cares about is making money , get the man out of our club
— saul tad (@tad_saul) January 17, 2020
He only cares about expanding the brand that FRAUD
— 2🇳🇴 (@OdegaardTHFC) January 17, 2020
The day that happens is the day i stop going and following. Absolutely absurd idea
— James Davies (@JamesDavies4) January 17, 2020
Wow. He will literally do anything to make money.
— Justin Coda (@JJcoda) January 17, 2020
Football is dead. Embarrassing when the head of the club speaks like this
— To Dare Is Too Dear (@toDAREis2DEAR) January 17, 2020
ANNOUNCE NEW OWNERS
— H.M.COYS7 – LoCelsoSZN (@COYSLP7v4) January 17, 2020
After 52 years i will ‘OUT’ if Spurs start playing Premier League games abroad. The downward death spriral continues.
— Patrick Austin (@PatrickAustin72) January 17, 2020
If it makes him money he’s up for it
— Shaun Lewis (@ShaunLewis17) January 17, 2020
Spurs fans, what do you make of Daniel Levy’s comments about playing abroad? Let us know in the comments below…
