Tour - for and against

There are several commercial arguments in favour of the proposal, such as increased television, sponsorship and merchandise revenue, not to mention a long-term enhancement of the brand in un-traditional football markets such as the USA and Australia. However, many have spoken out against the proposal, the inevitable backlash from local fans of the clubs accompanied by strong dissent from coaches and governing bodies outside the UK.

Premier League - "We're confident that we had the support of the 20 clubs and we still have the support of the 20 clubs." (Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore)

Hong Kong FA - "The Hong Kong Football Association would be very interested. We have already sent an e-mail to Richard Scudamore expressing our interest." (FA chairman Brian Leung)

Steve Lamb (Middlesbrough chief executive) - "We have to consider it… If we can get £5million more a year out of playing in a foreign country, it's £5million more we have got to spend on the Riverside Stadium and our squad, and it would be a big help to us."

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan - "I don't necessarily think it is a bad thing. From what I understand, it has been well thought out. It is a 39th game. The trouble with a lot of people is when something new comes into the arena, they want to find reasons to knock it."

Reading boss Steve Coppell - "It's good, it's innovative. We are the prime league in the world at the moment and I heard on the TV that English Premier League football is seen in 200 countries across the world."

Sunderland boss Roy Keane - "I have to say, I think it is great. Change is good sometimes. Obviously, it depends who you are playing in that extra game - if we were playing one of the top four, I might argue then."

The English FA - "We do not want the Premier League's proposal to affect England's 2018 World Cup bid in any way. At this time, due to the Football Association's strong international relations, we do not believe it has."

FIFA - "This will never happen. At least this will not happen as long as I am the president of FIFA. Those that are richer than the others, they have more responsibility and what the Premier League is trying to do is contrary to this responsibility." (FIFA president Sepp Blatter)

UEFA - "It's a strange and comical idea. I was laughing. I laughed because it will never be received by FIFA, by the fans and by the national associations. It's a nonsense idea. It's ironic. Soon you will have in England no English presidents, you already have no English coach, you have no English players and maybe now you will have no clubs playing in England. It's a joke." (UEFA supermo Michel Platini)

Asia - "We'll vote strongly against it. The Premier League are putting money before responsibility and dignity." (AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam)

Australia - "The bottom line is, FFA rejects the notion of another country playing a round of their domestic competition in Australia and intruding on the development of the A-League and the game in Australia." (FA chairman Frank Lowry)

USA - "We've been reluctant to have official games played in the US. We'll be guided by FIFA on this matter. But if it's not in line with its rules then we won't sanction it. We understand it's a global sport but it's about nurturing the home game." (USA federation president Sunil Gulati).

Japan - "It sounds problematic.We are, in principle, opposed to having their [Premier League] games in Japan as we have to protect our league and clubs." (Japanese Federation chief Junji Ogura)

Liverpool chairman Rick Parry - "There's already an ongoing debate about a potential winter break and we are constantly talking about the demands being made on players these days. You have to look forward, but the popularity of the Premier League is based around the country's top teams playing in England."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan - "We have been told that we can expect £4million per club - maybe £4.5million. But we all know that money is going to go straight to players - and their agents - demanding ever more the more money clubs make. You hear managers say that they don't want another game and you hear them also saying they can do without international games, such as friendlies, so we have to ask ourselves, is it really worth it?"

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson - "They can't keep their mouths shut down there. I think if they are going to do these things they should have been enquiring and having a discussion with managers and players before they come out with all this stuff and make an issue of it."

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez - "I don't like it. I think to play another game in another country is not right for this competition. You must play here in England with the same opportunities for everyone."

F1 and QPR chief Bernie Ecclestone - "The current idea the Premier League is putting forward isn't very good. They probably wouldn't find it very easy to convince someone in Singapore to have Wigan playing somebody over there. I can't see a promoter going for that."

The fans - "While Blatter's statement is welcome, this doesn't mean the danger of the Premier League pressing ahead has passed. Supporters need to keep the pressure up. We confirm that we'll be proceeding with next week's campaign meetings around England." (the English Football Supporters Federation)

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - "Iif the money is the first priority forget it because it will become a circus. The first priority is the quality of your competition, and you have to take time to think about that.

"My reaction is that I am surprised by the immensity of the battle, that people are against it without really analysing the pros and the cons."

Chelsea boss Avram Grant - "On one hand I think the Premier League has to be played in England but on the other so many people around the world like it."