Premier League chief Richard Masters says no plans for matches abroad

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says there are no plans to play a top-flight match abroad and the idea is "not anywhere near my in-tray".

In the past month, Italy and Spain's football federations have unveiled plans to stage league fixtures in Australia and the United States, and are seeking permission from Fifa and Uefa.

If successful, La Liga clubs Barcelona and Villarreal will face each other in Miami in Decemberin what would be the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

And if permission is granted, Serie A sides AC Milan and Como will meet in Perth, Australia in February.

Other one-off matches, such as the Italian Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup, have been held abroad in recent years.

The idea of the Premier League playing an extra round - the '39th game' - outside England was raised in 2008 but the plans were shelved after criticism from fans and the media.

And, despite former Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore saying 10 years ago that clubs were keen on the idea, Masters has downplayed such a scenario.

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