Premier League 'could be BLOCKED from playing matches outside the UK by Football independent regulator bill' - as the US seek lucrative deal to show games

The Premier League will be stopped from hosting official league matches outside of the UK by the new Independent Football Regulator.

 FIFA cleared the way for competitive matches to be staged away from home countries last month after coming to a settlement with New York City-based event promoter Relevent Sports.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has expressed interest in organising league fixtures to be played across the Atlantic.

However, it seems England's top-tier will not be able to take domestic match-ups overseas to the United States, due to the regulator, despite strong interest from across the pond.

The IFR would be able to block games being played abroad, according to The Sun.

Clause 48 (1) of the Football Governance Bill states: 'A regulated club must notify the IFR where the club considers that there is 10 a reasonable prospect of the club entering into arrangements whereby a relevant team operated by it would play its home matches at a ground other than the club’s home ground.'

Movement towards playing competitive matches abroad has already started within top leagues around the world. Both Spanish and Italian FAs hold their Super Cups in Saudi Arabia.

The Premier League, and chief executive Richard Masters, have already capatilised on interest from across the pond with a Summer Series, where some of the divisions top teams go head-to-head in a pre-season competition in the USA.

Six teams were involved in last year's tournament, and Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal will all take part in 2024's installment this coming summer. 

However, due to the clause, the Premier League would have to seek approval from football's new regulator if they were interested in hosting matches within the 38-game season, abroad.

The appeal to play matches across the pond could be there for the league, considering four of the so called 'Big Six' clubs have either partial, or full, American ownership.

In addition, their US broadcast partner NBC are seemingly hopeful of the league organising fixtures across the pond someday.

Nevertheless, with the regulator being able to block any such decisions, and the reaction to the potential European Super League, means it is unlikely such moves will be made.

That cannot be said in Spain, though, as recent comments from Tebas suggested matches could be played away from the country.

He said: 'I think it could be in the 2025-26 season, but La Liga will play official matches abroad.

'An official match in the U.S. will strengthen our position in the North American market, which is the second market for La Liga after Spain.

'Other very competitive leagues are coming so we cannot always do the same thing, but we cannot allow them to overtake us.'