BLATTER BATTERS PREMIER LEAGUE’S GAME 39

15-02-2008

The boss of football’s world governing body FIFA has poured cold water on the Premier League’s plan to stage matches overseas.  Sepp Blatter has called the idea "nonsense."

Blatter made his comments in an interview yesterday with the BBC’s Sports Editor Mihir Bose, suggesting that the League will have to go it alone if it wants to proceed.

The Football Association has failed to comment, but is now likely to fall in line with the game's hierarchy – especially as England needs FIFA backing for its bid to host the World Cup in 2018.

“This is nonsense” Blatter said.  “It is not taking into consideration the fans. 

“It gives the impression they want to go on tour and make money.

“This will never happen as long as I am president of FIFA.”

Meanwhile supporters of every club in the West Midlands are being encouraged to turn up at the Old Royal, Church Street, Birmingham next Friday (Feb 22, 7.30pm) to discuss tactics with Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters Federation.

He told The Stirrer in yesterday’s Birmingham Mail column:  “There's real anger about this, more than I've known over any other issue.
 
"Fans are telling us loud and clear they want us to oppose it. What we want to know from them is how to do it." (http://tinyurl.com/ywmukz)
 
See also “Fans Fury at Matches Abroad” (http://tinyurl.com/2xuyj7) and read The Stirrer every Thursday in the Birmingham Mail.