Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, has backed Premier League plans to introduce an international round of fixtures. The former Manchester United captain is one of the few high-profile names to support the proposals after the likes of Gareth Southgate and Harry Redknapp criticised the idea.
“I have to say, I think it is great. Change is good sometimes,” Keane said. “Obviously, it depends who you are playing in that extra game - if we were playing one of the top four, I might argue then.
“Change is good sometimes. The Premier League has been brilliant. “[Chief executive] Mr [Peter] Scudamore spoke last night and I thought he spoke brilliantly.
“They will look at a few proposals, they will do everything properly - and it is three years away. I have got enough on my plate trying to get Wigan out of the way, I cannot worry too much about that.
“But in terms of the bigger picture - and please God, we are in there with a shout with Sunderland - then it is progress and I think we should all be trying to be positive about it.
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The Premier League’s proposals state the extra round of matches, which would take place in January, would begin in the season 2010-11 and would be in addition to the traditional 38 home and away matches.
“Hopefully by then, Sunderland will be a lot bigger - you never know, by then, we might be one of the top five clubs then, so it will be one we will look forward to. It would be good, wouldn’t it? We are hoping if we don’t break in by then, we are getting bigger and stronger,” Keane said.
Keane was supported by Niall Quinn, the Sunderland chairman, who admitted that while the proposal was interesting there was still a long way to go before it becomes a reality. “The concept announced by the Premier League today is an interesting one but the idea is still in its infancy,” Quinn said. “Whilst all 20 clubs agreed the time was right to explore the idea in principle, it would be premature to get carried away at this stage.
“I can only speak for Sunderland, but whatever happens between now and a final decision being made, the main priority for myself and the Sunderland Board will be to protect the interests of the club and its fans - and to be as open as possible on route to a decision being made.
“To be honest, my focus right now is ensuring that we are a part of the long term structure of the Premier League no matter where the games are played.”