Liverpool co-owner Tom Werner supports an overseas Premier League game
Liverpool co-owner Tom Werner has backed the possibility of the Premier League playing competitive games outside of England.
The issue of playing a competitive match abroad is not something new. A plan for a 39th game in the Premier League was discussed, but this was met with criticism by local fans, clubs and FIFA, and was dropped.
However, Werner is keen to explore the possibility of playing Premier League matches in America and Asia.
"I think first of all the Premier League is the strongest league in the world and its reach is global," said Werner in an interview with BBC Sport.
The 60-year-old suggested that moving a Premier League game overseas would be to the advantage of clubs and the FA as it would increase the amount of fans in different areas around the globe.
"It's been very impressive to me, the number of people globally who watch and we hope to expand that imprint. I think the more important the game, the more excitement," said Werner.
The co-owner believes that the idea is a feasible one that would be good for the game in terms of increasing revenue, marketing clubs, while also creating excitement for fans worldwide.
"Pre-season matches are great, but why not have an actual match in season," Werner continued.
Werner is set to succeed Martin Broughton as chairman of the club when he steps down from his role, after selling Liverpool to the New England Sports Ventures group for £300m.
Meanwhile, fellow owner John W Henry has pledged his support for manager Roy Hodgson and has stated that he is completely committed to keeping the Liverpool manager at the club.
The appointment of Damien Comolli as the club’s director of football strategy has caused some uncertainty about Hodgson’s position, but Henry was adamant that he had full faith in the manager’s ability.
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