Football
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UEFA would be unlikely to support overseas Premier League games

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino says the Premier League's reported plans to play a round of regular-season matches abroad would be unlikely to receive any backing from European football's governing body.

The idea of taking matches around the globe was first mooted in 2008 and promoted as the "39th game," although UEFA failed to support the idea at the time.

Reports surfaced on Wednesday that clubs have asked the Premier League to conduct a feasibility study into a new global expansion option, but Infantino believes UEFA would not change its stance on the issue were any plans to materialise.

"Whenever these kind of things are discussed, we have to act in a responsible way within the rules that we've all agreed together," Infantino told delegates at the Leaders In Sport Summit.

"Let's see what is the decision of UEFA on this. I don't think it will change [from 2008]. It would be discussed, but I don't think it will change."

FIFA Executive Committee member Michel D'Hooghe echoed Infantino's comments and is adamant that the idea of a round of Premier League games being played overseas is not one that would work.

"My personal opinion is that this is a very dangerous precedent and I am not in favour," he said. "I understand the reasons why they would like to do it, they are financial I suppose. But if you start doing that, where does it end?

"If there is one thing I have learned in my 40 years as president of the Belgium Football Association, you must be afraid of the word 'precedent.' If you do something special for one, why refuse it for someone else? If it would be my decision at FIFA, I would not allow it."

UEFA would not have direct jurisdiction over Premier League games being played outside of Europe and in a member association of another confederation.

Matches could only be played outside of England with the approval of the host nation, the confederation involved and FIFA.

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