Premier League told to keep out by Asia football chief

Bin Hammam (right), president of the mighty Asian Football Confederation which embraces 46 countries, including fancied Premier League destinations Australia, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, has officially rejected the initiative and urged his member football federations to do the same.

His statement from Kuala Lumpur yesterday confirming Sportsmail's revelation on Monday about the expected Asia blockade, effectively sinks the good ship Premier League heading for five cities around the world where they were planning to stage an extra 39th round of 10 matches over a weekend.

North America, UEFA and FIFA have already stated their considerable opposition and the individual countries within the AFC who might have been interested in hosting a game will now be very wary about going against the wishes of Bin Hammam, one of the big three powerbrokers along with FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini and the man most likely to eventually replace Blatter.

Bin Hammam, whose first priority is the promotion and protection of club and international football within Asia, said: 'I can't see the wisdom in the proposed plans. It is my belief that it is not a good idea to organise domestic leagues in other territories. If this principle is accepted, then the Premier League must accept reciprocal arrangements.

'My recommendation to the AFC executive committee would be to reject initiatives of this nature. And we would urge the AFC member associations to protect their own national leagues and clubs within their territories.'

Bin Hammam's broadside came just as the Premier League were briefing the commercial directors from the 20 clubs about their grandiose plans.

The roll call of resistance includes Aston Villa's American owner Randy Lerner, whose opposition will be another blow to the Premier League and shows that the 20 clubs are far from unanimous about supporting the discredited scheme.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, speaking in South Africa yesterday, said: 'The idea of the 39th game is not getting any support in England at the moment.'

Even the FA's Professional Game Board, with strong Premier League representation, including chief executive Richard Scudamore, gave a very muted statement from chairman Lord Mawhinney, who said: 'The PGB is pleased to confirm that Thursday's announcement was only the start of a process and that the Premier League recognises the necessity of a detailed period of consultation with the FA, the Football League and other stakeholders.'

Scudamore now intends to engage in a round of shuttle diplomacy with football officials in a desperate attempt to salvage his plan. He will head for Zurich next week for discussions with FIFA president Blatter before taking his message to a number of potential host cities and confederations around the world.