Latest news with #RichardMasters
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government ready to back plan for ban on Premier League games abroad
Liverpool chair Tom Werner wants Premier League matches to be played overseas. Photograph: Action Images/Action Images/Reuters The government is ready to back plans to add provisions to the football governance bill that would prevent the Premier League and EFL from staging competitive matches abroad. The move would be welcomed by fans' groups, who are concerned that clubs will seek to cash in on their global popularity by moving games overseas in a radical break with tradition expected to be approved by Fifa this year. Related: Wrexham's revolution faces a whole new challenge in the Championship Liverpool's chair, Tom Werner, told the Financial Times last year that he was determined to see Premier League games played in New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Riyadh and Rio de Janeiro. The bill to create the Independent Football Regulator had its second Reading in the House of Commons this week but amendments are likely to be added. The Guardian has learned there are concerns among some MPs that an existing clause in the bill stating clubs must seek the regulator's permission 'to move home games elsewhere' is not robust enough, and there are plans to submit an amendment at the committee stage which explicitly rules out taking a match abroad. Although the government is not planning to introduce the amendment, multiple sources have confirmed it is sympathetic to the principle and opposed to English fixtures being moved overseas. Ministers could support the amendment, suggest changes to it or oppose it depending on the wording. The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said last summer it had 'no plans' to take games abroad and that the subject had not been formally discussed since 2008, when plans for an 'international round' – the so-called 39th game – were abandoned after a fan backlash and opposition from Fifa. Premier League policy is decided by its members, however, and if 14 clubs wanted to play overseas the executive would be unable to stop them. Fifa regulations that prevent league matches being played outside domestic national territories are set to change. The world governing body set up a working group last year to issue new recommendations on the subject after settling a legal dispute with the American sports promoter Relevent, which had argued that Fifa's refusal to sanction overseas games was anti-competitive. La Liga and Serie A have stated a desire to move games abroad as soon as next season.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government ready to back plan for ban on Premier League games abroad
The government is ready to back plans to add provisions to the Football Governance Bill that would prevent the Premier League and EFL from staging competitive matches abroad. The move would be welcomed by fans' groups, who are concerned that clubs will seek to cash in on their global popularity by moving games overseas in a radical break with tradition expected to be approved by Fifa this year. Advertisement Related: Wrexham's revolution faces a whole new challenge in the Championship Liverpool's chair, Tom Werner, told the Financial Times last year that he was determined to see Premier League games played in New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Riyadh and Rio de Janeiro. The bill to create the Independent Football Regulator had its second Reading in the House of Commons this week but amendments are likely to be added. The Guardian has learned there are concerns among some MPs that an existing clause in the bill stating clubs must seek the regulator's permission 'to move home games elsewhere' is not robust enough, and there are plans to submit an amendment at the committee stage which explicitly rules out taking a match abroad. Although the government is not planning to introduce the amendment, multiple sources have confirmed it is sympathetic to the principle and opposed to English fixtures being moved overseas. Ministers could support the amendment, suggest changes to it or oppose it depending on the wording. Advertisement The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said last summer it had 'no plans' to take games abroad and that the subject had not been formally discussed since 2008, when plans for an 'international round' – the so-called 39th game – were abandoned after a fan backlash and opposition from Fifa. Premier League policy is decided by its members, however, and if 14 clubs wanted to play overseas the executive would be unable to stop them. Fifa regulations that prevent league matches being played outside domestic national territories are set to change. The world governing body set up a working group last year to issue new recommendations on the subject after settling a legal dispute with the American sports promoter Relevent, which had argued that Fifa's refusal to sanction overseas games was anti-competitive. La Liga and Serie A have stated a desire to move games abroad as soon as next season.
The Guardian
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Government ready to back plan for ban on Premier League games abroad
The government is ready to back plans to add provisions to the Football Governance Bill that would prevent the Premier League and EFL from staging competitive matches abroad. The move would be welcomed by fans' groups, who are concerned that clubs will seek to cash in on their global popularity by moving games overseas in a radical break with tradition expected to be approved by Fifa this year. Liverpool's chair, Tom Werner, told the Financial Times last year that he was determined to see Premier League games played in New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Riyadh and Rio de Janeiro. The bill to create the Independent Football Regulator had its second Reading in the House of Commons this week but amendments are likely to be added. The Guardian has learned there are concerns among some MPs that an existing clause in the bill stating clubs must seek the regulator's permission 'to move home games elsewhere' is not robust enough, and there are plans to submit an amendment at the committee stage which explicitly rules out taking a match abroad. Although the government is not planning to introduce the amendment, multiple sources have confirmed it is sympathetic to the principle and opposed to English fixtures being moved overseas. Ministers could support the amendment, suggest changes to it or oppose it depending on the wording. The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said last summer it had 'no plans' to take games abroad and that the subject had not been formally discussed since 2008, when plans for an 'international round' – the so-called 39th game – were abandoned after a fan backlash and opposition from Fifa. Premier League policy is decided by its members, however, and if 14 clubs wanted to play overseas the executive would be unable to stop them. Fifa regulations that prevent league matches being played outside domestic national territories are set to change. The world governing body set up a working group last year to issue new recommendations on the subject after settling a legal dispute with the American sports promoter Relevent, which had argued that Fifa's refusal to sanction overseas games was anti-competitive. La Liga and Serie A have stated a desire to move games abroad as soon as next season.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Premier League opens Mumbai office, reinforces long-term commitment to Indian football
Premier League office in Mumbai (Pic credit: EPL India) In a major step to deepen its engagement with Indian fans and support the growth of football across the country, the English Premier League announced the opening of its new office in Mumbai on Wednesday. This marks the latest expansion of the League's global footprint and its enduring association with India's burgeoning football community. The Mumbai office aims to bolster the Premier League's efforts to grow the sport at both grassroots and elite levels, while also enhancing connections with fans and stakeholders in the region. The office will serve as a hub for collaboration with local authorities, the Indian Super League (ISL), and governing bodies, helping to further integrate the Premier League's programs and initiatives within India's footballing ecosystem. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters underscored the importance of this move. 'We and our clubs have a fantastic and knowledgeable fanbase in India, and we know football continues to grow in popularity. We are proud of our longstanding commitment to India, having worked to deliver community football programmes for 18 years and, more recently, our partnership with the Indian Super League,' he said. 'Opening this office marks a significant milestone for the Premier League. It will allow us to operate more effectively locally as we build on our existing work to establish more ways to strengthen our relationship with fans, JioStar and other partners.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Who's that IPL player? The Premier League's connection with India began in 2007 through the Premier Skills initiative, in partnership with the British Council. Over the past 18 years, the program has trained more than 7,300 coaches and referees across 18 Indian states, positively impacting over 124,000 young people. At the elite level, the League's alliance with the ISL since 2014 has resulted in meaningful collaboration in areas such as youth development, coaching standards, and referee training. Additionally, the Next Gen Cup — an elite youth tournament co-hosted with the ISL and Reliance Foundation — continues to foster top-level talent. The sixth edition of the event is set to take place in Mumbai in May 2025, featuring U19 teams from both Premier League clubs and ISL academies. This marks the fourth international office for the Premier League, after successful launches in Singapore (2019), New York (2023), and Beijing (2024), as the League continues to globalise its fan engagement and development initiatives.
Hans India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Premier League Opens New Office in Mumbai to Boost Football Engagement
The Premier League on Tuesday inaugurated its first Indian office in Mumbai to extend its outreach among local supporters and football authorities and to bolster both community-level and elite-level programmes. The new base will reinforce partnerships, deepen fan engagement and drive the League's growth strategy in one of its fastest-growing markets. The Mumbai office will serve as a hub for the Premier League's long-running Premier Skills programme, launched in collaboration with the British Council in 2007. Over 18 years, the initiative has operated in more than 18 states, training upwards of 7,300 coaches, referees and educators and reaching some 124,000 young participants. By housing local staff and resources, the League aims to accelerate coach education and broaden access to grassroots football across India. Beyond community outreach, the League will strengthen ties with the Indian Super League (ISL) under a renewed cooperation agreement. First signed in 2014, the partnership has facilitated exchanges on governance, youth academies, coach training and referee development. The updated pact, sealed at the Next Gen Mumbai Cup event, will maintain knowledge-sharing and operational support between the two competitions. 'The Mumbai office will enable closer collaboration with fans, JioStar and other stakeholders,' Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said, noting that a local presence allows faster decision-making and more tailored programming. He added that the League and its clubs welcome India's large and engaged audience and see further opportunity to nurture talent and partnerships. In 2019, the league joined forces with the ISL and the Reliance Foundation to launch the Next Gen Cup, an under-19 international tournament designed to test Indian youth teams against academies from Premier League clubs. The sixth edition is scheduled for May 2025 in Mumbai, where ISL youth sides will face English counterparts in a showcase aimed at raising competitive standards and scouting emerging talent. The Mumbai office follows the Premier League's pattern of establishing overseas bases to protect content rights and bolster broadcast partnerships. Singapore was the first international outpost in 2019, primarily focused on anti-piracy efforts. A New York office opened in July 2023 to expand fan outreach in the United States, working with NBC Sports, and a Beijing office launched in October 2024 to support growth initiatives in China. Local stakeholders expect the new office to deepen collaboration with India's football authorities and governing bodies, creating pathways for player development and commercial opportunities. By integrating community projects with elite events and broadcast activities, the Premier League aims to build a unified strategy that serves fans, clubs and partners across India.
