In today's Daily Mail, Charles Sale examines the ongoing pressure on the Premier League to introduce a '39th game' abroad. Sale speculates that should the Premier League continue to resist the opportunity to cash in on global interest in the English game, other European leagues will step in.

"Victorian Major Events Company, whose latest coup was to attract world No 1 golfer Tiger Woods to Melbourne for the Australia Masters, which he won, are convinced others will jump in if the Premier League don't put the overseas match plan into operation by 2013, in the next TV rights cycle.  

"The Melbourne-based firm know there is interest in other major European leagues, including Italy, about taking competitive games Down Under.

"And the Aussies claim other countries will not be as worried as England about the lack of balance in an odd number of fixtures - or might examine a play-off formula. VMEC have maintained strong links with Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore since the 39th Game was put into cold storage last year."  

US sports have for several years  scheduled matches abroad in an attempt to expand global brands.  London has become a popular annual host for the NFL and other US sports have followed suit.  The question remains whether the Premier League views itself in a similar mould and if so, whether it can convince the rest of the English football establishment to follow the American example.