Australian veto completes worldwide block on Scudamore's 39th game plan

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The chairman of Football Federation Australia, Frank Lowy, said that he saw no great benefit to Australia in hosting any Premier League matches and reiterated that his federation's priorities were with the continuing development of their domestic A-League.

The move, following similar rejections from the United States Soccer Federation and the Asian Football Confederation, leaves Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore with nowhere to go in staging the "international round".

Scroll down for more

Australia's A-League in action: Michael Bridges (left) of Sydney FC holds off Mile Jedinak of the Central Coast Mariners

Last Friday Scudamore revealed that the 20 Premier League clubs had agreed in principle to play an extra 10 fixtures every January from the 2010-11 season onwards, extending the domestic campaign to 39 games.

The six cities initially mooted as potential hosts - Miami, Sydney, Hongkong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Beijing - all fall within the jurisdiction of football bodies who have now declared their opposition to the plan.

Lowy added: "We said when this issue first arose last week that FFA's overwhelming priority is to promote the Hyundai A-League and to continue to invest in, and grow, the game in Australia. That remains our view."

Lowy: protection for A-League

The FFA chief added that any move to play a Premier League game in Australia would be seen as an intrusion on the local product.

"The bottom line is, FFA rejects the notion of another country playing a round of their domestic competition in Australia and intruding on the development of the Hyundai A-League and the game in Australia," he said.

Chief executive Ben Buckley backed Lowy but admitted FFA are still keen to stage exhibition matches in Australia involving teams from Europe.

"However, our overriding objective is to build equity in the Hyundai A-League and everything we do is assessed against that objective," said Buckley.