Reading chief Madejski: 39th step plan 'consigned to the trash bin'

The idea for an extra round of matches has met with opposition from Fifa chief Sepp Blatter, the heads of many national associations and fans' group, and Madejski says it has 'already been consigned to the trash bin'.

But the millionaire Royals owner has commended league chief Richard Scudamore for coming up with the proposal and says that despite worldwide opposition and derision he should keep his job.

Madejski claims Scudamore's idea was bold and worthy of greater discussion, but it was badly proposed and lacked in-depth consultation with the game's governing bodies.

Scudamore insisted earlier this week he had the support of all 20 Premier League clubs, but not as far as Madejski is concerned.

Madejski is happy for the additional match to be an exhibition, but not as part of the league programme.

Madejski said: "I just feel more consultation should have gone on behind closed doors.

"It would have been better if he had approached some of football's governing bodies before announcing his plans to everybody, then we would have moved forward on it. Now it's in tatters."

Madejski now feels Scudamore's plan is beyond salvation.

"It's already been consigned to the trash bin," he added.

"I don't think it's going to grow legs now. There are too many people against it.

"It's great Richard has come up with an idea like this, and I hope he brings out a few more, but this one is obviously not going to happen.

"It does have merit, though, but rather it should be an exhibition game rather than a league game because it is good for the Premier League to be exported abroad."

Madejski feels that as a product there is scope for the Premier League to be marketed overseas, and afford fans there the chance to watch matches live.

"We have to be very careful. We should cherish the Premier League we have and do everything we can to sustain it," added Madejski.

"It's nothing to do with money, it's being able to deliver the Premier League on the doorstep of countries that hitherto have never seen it.

"Obviously, what I am concerned about it that when all is said and done, the Premier League is run by the top five clubs. We're just the also rans.

"You can see it's all tied up, and I do believe there is a sort of pact there, but if it's not broken, why fix it?

"To get this galaxy of talent playing on our shores, come on, this is fantastic.

"If it does mean playing an exhibition game every season abroad, so be it, and I think we should."