Singapore: AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam has lashed out at the powerbrokers of the English Premier League for putting 'money before responsibility' in their planto play matches overseas.
The Asian Football Confederation chief is stronglyopposed to the proposals and said the Premier League and itschief executive Richard Scudamore should have thought morecarefully about the idea before it became public.
'We'll vote strongly against it,' Bin Hammam told the BBC. 'The Premier League are putting money beforeresponsibility and dignity. 'As far as Asia is concerned, I'm not supportive of this initiative.'
The Premier League has suggested adding one more round of fixtures to their schedule, with 10 games to be played at five different venues outside England from 2011.
Asian cities touted as possible venues include Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Singapore. In an official statement on Tuesday, Bin Hammam said hefeared that the popularity of English football was alreadyacting as a barrier to the development of Asia's own leaguesand national sides.
He told the BBC there had been no consultation on theplans. 'Friendly matches I'm not against. I welcome that. But I cannot digest at all that a different league will be played inanother country than its own,' he said.
