Asia warms to 39th game

Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam has softened
his stance towards the Premier League's controversial 39th-game
proposal.

The AFC chief was a high-profile dissenting voice when the league first
mooted plans to play an 'international round' of games in cities across
the world from 2011 in an initial statement back in February.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore revealed earlier in
the week that the proposal was still being discussed by clubs and would
be for the next 12 months.

And now bin Hammam has revealed he could be persuaded to embrace the
idea should it have positive implications for the clubs under his
jurisdiction.

"Whatever plans the Premier League has for its future the AFC is ready to advise and support," he claimed.

"There is too much foreign football on our continent, but I am a big
fan of the Premier League and I was really impressed with the way they
are developing their thoughts about developing the game in Asia.

"In the past there were no ideas, but now they know people want something left behind and they are up to the mark.

"I am depending more on the understanding of the Premier League chairmen. I want them to see that we are legitimate partners.

"I am not saying I have changed my mind totally, but they are exploring ideas."

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