It’s unclear how much longer Rafael Benitez will remain at Anfield, yet the Liverpool manager has told The Times that he and the club are firmly against the idea of a 39th-match in the Premier League season, proposed to take place overseas.
“I don’t like it,” Benítez said. “I think to play another game in another country is not right for this competition. You must play here in England with the same opportunities for everyone. The seeding idea is the reason I don’t like it. It’s important to give everyone the same opportunities.
“If it’s just about money, you can organise a tournament in Hong Kong with the top four if you want and you’ll have the money that you want, but to change the competition in this way is not fair. It’s not a good idea and I don’t think it’s a solution for anyone.”
With FIFA president Sepp Blatter also adding his two-penneth yesterday, it seems that there is a growing opposition to the proposals made by the Premier League last week. Will this project even move beyond its embryonic stage? It seems there are some key personnel that will need convincing.