Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore insists the idea of playing additional matches abroad has not been scrapped.
Proposals for an extra round of matches to be played at neutral venues spread
across the world met with a lukewarm response when revealed earlier in the
season.
After criticism from people and bodies within the game, the `39th game'
proposal was eventually rejected by the Football Association.
However, the Premier League, keen to further exploit their international
popularity, are rethinking their plans having taken into account the various
issues and objections raised.
Scudamore told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: 'The idea is not
over forever because no idea is over forever. We do have to grapple with
globalisation and how we take it forward.
'We are revising, looking at other plans and it is certainly not over.
'We said we would take until next January to look at some sort of strategic
move and we are going to look to use that time to come up with something that
ticks more boxes.'
Scudamore gave no indication as to whether the revised plans will still
involve clubs playing in foreign cities.
'It is too early to say that,' he added. 'Give us the time, we will come
back and we will work on it. It is too early to be specific on what it will
be.'
Yet Scudamore says it is important to devise something which will satisfy both
a hungry international market and the wishes of the clubs.
He said: 'We have this issue where, look at the amount of countries - 207
countries will watch these games today in some form, probably 600million or so
home reach.
'The audience will be huge today. At some point we have to address how we
reach and satisfy that market, as well as never losing sight of the fact our
game is predicated on full attendances, on home fans, on the home base that
creates that atmosphere.
'Making something of all that is the strategic challenge for the Premier
League going forward.'
Scudamore has also dismissed suggestions that the Premier League is becoming
boring because only the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or
Liverpool could win the title.
He also insists the quartet do not have a monopoly on the top-four positions.
He added: 'It is not impossible - Tottenham very nearly did, Everton have
done it and Newcastle have done it in my time. Leeds have also done it.
'It is not impossible but it is a challenge.
'It is not a monopoly. If there was one club dominating that would be a
problem. As long as there is more than one club that can win it, it is
competitive.
'And every game is competitive. The bottom clubs can still beat the clubs at
the very top. That doesn't happen in other leagues in Europe.'
