Stuart Pearce has given his support to the Premier League by organizing a high-profile game abroadoffering the North London Derby as a potential export.
The Premier League has long been linked with a decision to play a series of matches abroad, but it has often been frowned upon, mainly by fans at top clubs.
In February 2008, former FA chief executive Richard Scudamore made a proposal for an additional round of Premier League games away from England.
His plan was that the additional matches would take place over a weekend in cities that had bid for the hosting rights.
The controversial idea was opposed by then-FIFA President Sepp Blatter and later rejected by the FA.
Although Pearce is not in favor of a 39th game, he believes playing a game away, as the NFL does, will help raise awareness of the Premier League.
“I’m against a 39th game but I’m in favor of a 38th game,” Pearce told talkSPORT.
“I wouldn’t want an extra game but in the schedule if you want to take one to neutral ground somewhere…
Pearce’s comments came on the eve of the North London derby and the ex-England skipper believes the fiery game could be a success if played in the US and explained how it could work out logistically .
Pearce continued: “You take a game out of the schedule – Spurs against Arsenal – whatever it is, and go and play it in the [United] States.
“All of our teams travel to America, Australia and the Far East in pre-season to spread the word of the Premier League and endorse the financial income of the football club.
“If we don’t try these things, we don’t know if they will work or not. There is a Qatar World Cup mid-season and everyone thinks it won’t work. Well, what evidence are you basing your statements on, none?
“You try it and see if it works. Some fans might use it as a vacation and go to New York.
Pearce’s comments are sure to divide opinion despite a similar method being used successfully in American sports.
The NFL kicks off its ever-popular International Series this weekend which will see the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints square off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It was introduced in 2007 initially with one game per season but with ever-increasing demand, the NFL increased its quota of games on foreign soil to five, with three played in London, one in Germany and another in Mexico.
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