Richard Scudamore: 'Idea of 39th game is gone'

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has admitted that the idea of playing an extra competitive '39th' top-flight match abroad has been shelved.

In 2008, the 55-year-old proposed the concept of Premier League clubs playing an extra regular-season game abroad each year, which encountered criticism among fans.

However, Scudamore claimed that he is no longer considering the idea, telling The Mail on Sunday: "The clubs are keen for us to keep developing the concept but we're no nearer.

"The idea of an extra game is gone. Whether you play a regular season game [overseas], that has challenges, not least among the fans, which we take into consideration.

"I've never shied away from the fact that personally I think it's a good idea. I bear the scars from thinking it's a good idea. A lot of the clubs think it's a good idea... but there is absolutely no time line and no idea when it might happen."

The NFL plays league games abroad, while the season-opening Italian and Spanish Super Cups have also taken place overseas in the past.