'It's Time' - Ex-PL CEO approves game-changing Liverpool plans

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has given the thumbs-up to Liverpool chairman Tom Werner’s game-changing plan to take Premier League fixtures overseas.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed “it is time” to look at “internationalisation” to ensure the English top-flight remains the world’s best league.

In an interview with the Financial Times (7 June), Liverpool chairman Werner insisted he is “determined one day to have a Premier League game be played in New York City”.

He suggested domestic fans can be compensated with cheap travel and accommodation to attend matches taking place overseas.

Meanwhile, Liverpool owner John Henry claimed – in the same interview – that playing games worldwide is “not something that I advocate or am particularly interested in”.

‘It’s time’ to play Premier League games overseas after Liverpool proposals, says Wyness

Similar ideas have been brought forward in the past, with a proposal for a 39th Premier League round played overseas being quashed by FIFA’s then-president Sepp Blatter in 2008.

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I can’t be a hypocrite.

“I go back to my time, when the 39th game idea was proposed – I supported that initiative.

“I felt that the Premier League had to go. Whether it was a 39th game, or taking some of the 38 games overseas.

“We’re seeing the NFL, NBA and MLB come to England.

“During my time, we found there were about 1800 Everton fans who had gone to every home and away game.

“We always felt we could take those fans wherever the games were, given the sums involved.

“We could’ve chartered planes and given them accommodation at a very reduced rate, in a loyalty scheme.

“If that was on the table, the fan reaction may not have been so bad. The media inspired a big backlash, but there was never a big chance for debate on the idea.

“So I think there are solutions. There’s a vast amount of money coming in from overseas, and the Premier League has a duty to take the product out there.

“Whether that’s a 39th game or one of the 38, I think there is a solution somewhere which could benefit everyone.

“For that reason, I have to say that Werner is on to something. I think it’s time to look at internationalisation and cement the Premier League’s place as the top league in the world.”

In other news, Liverpool talks with star man put on hold in “surprise” twist.

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