Foxes Trust Statement – 12th Oct 2014
The Board of the Foxes Trust is concerned at reports in the media this week that the Premier League intends to explore the possibility, once again, of playing competitive matches overseas.
The latest proposal is even worse than the original 39th game concept, as the intention would be to move one of the current 38 fixtures to non UK soil. This would mean half the teams in the league losing a home game, putting them at a disadvantage. For each club either travelling supporters – who add so much to the atmosphere of a game – or home season ticket holders will be deprived of a game. The Foxes Trust believes that every fan has the right to watch a complete English Premier League season in England and that every home game should be at their home ground.
Having battled for 10 years to return to the Premier League, it would be “a kick in the teeth” to the 22,000 season ticket holders, the majority of whom held season tickets during the League One season, to be deprived of one of their 19 Premiership home games to satisfy financial and marketing objectives of the League.
The Foxes Trust is fully supportive of pre- or post-season friendlies and small tournaments being played overseas, and appreciates why our club owners would wish play a game such as Everton this preseason in Thailand, but this cannot be allowed to interfere with the integrity of the Premier League.
Unlike some club owners, our owners have always demonstrated that they understand and want to promote the club's heritage, therefore if this unwanted and ill-thought out concept is formally discussed at a Premier League meeting, we urge representatives from Leicester City (and other clubs) to consider the competitive integrity and heritage of the English game and the impact on match-going supporters, and swiftly reject any proposed format to play a League game overseas.
It is disappointing that these proposals have surfaced without any fan consultation, a point that will be made strongly by Premiership Trusts at their next meeting with Premier League representatives.
Foxes Trust fully supports the network of fellow Supporters’ Trusts and the Football Supporters Federation’s strong opposition to any such plans and will be working with fellow fan groups on a local and national level on a co-ordinated response to this proposal.
End of Press Release Statement