Top clubs consider overseas games And Premier League To Allow 2 More Subs

The English Premier League is considering the idea of staging some matches around the rest of the world. At a meeting in London on Thursday, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games. Those 10 extra games would be played at five different venues, with cities bidding for the right to stage them. It is understood the additional fixtures could be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other.

The Football Association has given its provisional support to the plans. "We understand the reasons for this proposals and the benefits it can bring to English football as a whole," said an FA source. A final decision on the proposals will not be made until January 2009.

The main aspects of the plans are:
An additional round of Premier League fixtures, extending the season to 39 games, from January 2011

Four clubs to travel to one of five host cities, with two games taking place in each venue over a weekend

Cities would bid for the right to become a host, not for individual matches

Points earned from the games would count towards the final Premier League table

Premier League To Allow 2 More Subs

Premier League clubs will be allowed to name seven substitutes in matches from the start of next season. The change was suggested by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy last year and replicates the regulations in European and international games. The Premier League agreed to discuss the issue, amid concerns that it would favour clubs with big squads. Premier League voting rules require 14 out of the 20 member clubs to back any suggested rule changes.Coaches are currently restricted to naming five substitutes, and are able to use a maximum of three of them.

But Levy told his club's official website: "We have promoted and lobbied for this rule change for some time and we are absolutely delighted our proposal was supported by member clubs. "It is important to give our managers greater choice on the bench, enabling them to be more creative tactically. "That was the objective behind us bringing this proposal to the table. "Additionally, it should also mean that younger players from the academy can be given an opportunity to break into the first team."