PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are reportedly keen for the Community Shield to be axed as the traditional season opener.
And there are some suggestions the game could be played abroad or even changed to an ALL-STAR match instead.
The future of the game between the winners of the Premier League and FA Cup, held the Sunday before the new Prem season, is up for debate, according to The Times.
Alternative options are discussed in the “New Deal for Football” plan, which are ideas for after 2024.
Playing the game mid-season or on the same weekend as Matchday One in the Prem are possible options.
One club has claimed playing the Community Shield in China or the USA would help promote the Prem overseas.
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And at least one club has suggested an all-star game as a potential replacement for the Community Shield.
That would involve a maximum of two players from each Prem team battling it out against an all-star team from other leagues in Europe.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has previously revealed his desire for the Prem to introduce an all-star game.
The American businessman suggested a North vs South Prem clash last month that would benefit the football pyramid.
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The Prem’s bigger teams are thought to believe the Community Shield, which raises money for charity and grassroots football, negatively impacts their preparations for the new season.
It also means they miss out on the chance to rake in cash from pre-season tours abroad.
Moving the game to a different date would also allow a new pre-season tournament in the USA, involving Prem teams, to take place.
Elsewhere, reports from report The Athletic on Monday claimed the Prem were set to hold a pre-season tournament across the pond next summer.
But the “New Deal for Football” plan for after 2024 also targets the FA Cup.
It reportedly calls for third and fourth round FA Cup replays to be axed.
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FA Cup replays were scrapped in the 2020-21 season due to the fixture backlog caused by Covid-19, while third and fourth round replays were canned last season.
A final decision will be made by the FA, but the new ideas have not yet been officially put forward to them.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
