So the 20 English Premier League clubs have agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games, with the extra game being played in five cities around the world who want to bid for the event.

It’s a ludicrous idea, and shows that Premier bosses don’t understand their teams fans. We don’t want franchise football. Frankly, if people in Saudi Arabia, the USA and China would like to watch football matches then — and this may sound like a wacky idea — why don’t they watch the teams which already play in their country?

I’ve got no objection to clubs playing friendlies abroad in the close season, but this nonsense cannot be allowed to go ahead. For a start, even if you ignore my fury at the very idea that they’re going to play abroad, it’s going to be set up in order to punish the smaller clubs.

It is understood the additional fixtures could be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other.BBC News

So not only are the Premier League flying in the traditions of the game, but the extra game is to be set up so that the 5 best clubs get an easier game than potentially anyone else? I had thought that the structure of the season was supposed to be set up to make it fair: each team plays each other team once at home and once away. Now, we’re adding an extra easy fixture to the list for the big teams, and a potentially tougher fixture to the list for all other teams.

It’s nonsense. It’s ludicrous. It cannot be allowed to go ahead. If you’re on Facebook, take the time to join the No to Gam£ 39 Group. If you’re not on Facebook, Sign the petition. Write to your MP. Write to your team.

Remember: English football isn’t their toy to do with as they please. It’s our game, not theirs. Let’s make that clear.