No plans for Premier League games overseas, says Masters

By Martin Graham

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has ruled out staging top-flight matches outside England, insisting the concept is “not anywhere near” consideration.

While Italy and Spain are seeking permission from FIFA and UEFA to host domestic fixtures abroad, the Premier League has no intention of following suit. La Liga is aiming to hold Barcelona’s clash with Villarreal in Miami this December, while Serie A is pushing for AC Milan to meet Como in Perth, Australia, next February.

Both countries have already played one-off Super Cup finals overseas, but the idea of an English league match abroad was last seriously floated in 2008 as part of the so-called “39th game”. That proposal was dropped after backlash from fans and the media. Despite former chief Richard Scudamore suggesting a decade ago that clubs were open to the concept, Masters has downplayed the possibility.

“It’s not a discussion we are having,” he said. “The league explored this more than ten years ago to grow our profile internationally, but we have achieved that through other avenues such as broadcasting, digital platforms, and preseason tours. That original need is no longer there.”

There are currently 11 Premier League clubs with US-based owners, close to the two-thirds majority needed to change league rules, but American owner Bill Foley of Bournemouth has also voiced opposition to matches abroad.

Spending, transfers and financial rules

According to Transfermarkt, Premier League clubs have invested over £2bn in the current transfer window, dwarfing the £740m spent by Serie A sides and the Bundesliga’s £520m. Liverpool have been the biggest spenders so far, committing over £250m, including £100m for German midfielder Florian Wirtz. Chelsea has matched that spending level, while Manchester United has added Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha for around £194m combined.

In net spend terms, United led the outlay rankings, followed by Arsenal, Manchester City, Sunderland, Tottenham, and Liverpool. Masters welcomed squad investment “so long as everyone stays within the rules,” saying it strengthens the league’s competitive balance.

On financial compliance, Everton recently became the third club after Chelsea and Aston Villa to transfer their women’s team to the main ownership group. This helps meet the profitability and sustainability rules, which allow losses of up to £105m over three years. Masters said the regulations permit such moves and that discussions about altering them have already taken place.

Regulation, off-field issues and fixture impact

Masters addressed Arsenal’s handling of Thomas Partey, who left the club at the end of June before being charged with multiple sexual offenses in early July. The midfielder denies all charges and has since joined Villarreal. Masters said decisions in such cases are “between an employer and employee” and not within the Premier League’s jurisdiction, adding he is sure clubs take such matters seriously.

An independent football regulator is due to be introduced later this year to oversee the men’s game in England’s top five tiers. Masters said the league will work constructively with the new body, which will have powers to intervene in ownership disputes such as those at Sheffield Wednesday and Morecambe.

On the recent expanded Club World Cup in the United States, where Chelsea won and Manchester City exited in the last 16, Masters acknowledged the need to monitor its effects. He emphasized that while the Premier League’s structure has remained unchanged since 1994, the overall football calendar has grown, and there should be a debate on match volumes to protect player welfare.