FIFA to decide fate of Premier League expansion plan

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LONDON, Feb 9 (AFP): FIFA could decide the fate of plans to take Premier League matches around the world as early as next month after the world governing body demanded to see details of the proposals.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter wants the organisation's Executive Committee to review the scheme to play matches at five different venues outside England from 2011 at its next meeting on March.
Blatter last year helped to block Manchester United's planned friendly in Malaysia because it clashed with the Asian Cup and similar concerns over 'football colonialism' could resurface in connection with the plan for league matches in places like Bangkok, Dubai and Hong Kong.
English media and supporters groups have flayed the proposals but influential figures within English football, including Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, have welcomed the initiative.
Wenger played down fans' concerns about clubs becoming American-style franchises.
"Ninety percent of people who love the Premier League have no access to the games," the Frenchman argued.
"Friendlies will not keep people interested in the game. It is not respecting people who love the game to say you can watch it on television but not live."
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hinted that he was not too keen on the idea, jokingly suggesting that he may have retired by 2011.
"I will not be here by that time I hope," he smiled. "I don't fancy a flight to Bombay or Sumatra or wherever."
But Sunderland boss Roy Keane said clubs should be ready to embrace change. "It's three years away and I think we should all be trying to be positive about it," said the Irishman.
Under the EPL's proposals, the overseas matches will start in the 2010-11 season with five cities hosting two matches each on the same January weekend.
Chief executive Richard Scudamore estimates that the clubs could generate over five million pounds (ten million dollars) each for their one trip.
Among the cities touted as possible venues are Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Miami, New York, Singapore and Sydney.
Would-be hosts however will face cut-throat competition from rivals in their own region because the league wants to ensure a spread of matches across different time-zones to ensure matches can be viewed consecutively on television in Britain and Ireland, generating further revenue.
In the United States, Major League Soccer said they wanted to see the final plans before getting too worried or excited about the prospects.
"We will have to wait and evaluate the proposal," Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis said.
Birmingham chairman David Gold tried to ease supporters' fears by vowing to do everything in his power to use the money gained from any overseas match to slash ticket prices at St Andrews.