Bournemouth owner opposes PL overseas venue plan

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), in May, proposed and set up a committee to look at the viability or otherwise of holding competitive domestic League games in foreign countries.

This was the plan of the Spanish top-flight La Liga, which indicated a strong interest in starting to hold La Liga games in the United States from the 2025-2026 season, even though they have been holding Super Cup games in Saudi Arabia.

The Premier League has been unequivocally clear that it is not interested in such plans, although teams in the league have been playing pre-season games in the US. Ten of them, including Bournemouth, have pre-season friendlies this summer, and the owner of the Cherries has made his opinion about the plans, and he’s not buying.

Bournemouth’s owner Bill Foley has stated that playing pre-season games abroad is the only ideal thing to do and believes fans at Bournemouth would think Foley actually respects the system and the heritage.

“Premier League games in America? No. I believe what we are doing today – and there are other pre-season games – is what we should be doing. In terms of playing actual Premier League matches in America? We should play in the UK. That is where they belong. I am very respectful of our fans and the whole system. I wouldn’t want to be involved in changing any of that.” Foley said.

Foley who took over at the club in 2022 after he paid £120m for Bournemouth in December 2022, assured the Cherries fans of the availability of striker Dominick Solanke next season. 

While he admitted that the figures reported as his release clause around £65m was correct, he also said there are three alternative players lined up just in case a club triggers his clause. Solanke scored 19 goals and made three assists in 38 games in the Premier League season.