Richard Scudamore says Premier League '39th game is gone'

Manchester United played Real Madrid in front of a record US crowd of 109,318 in Michigan during pre-season

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has all-but ended the idea of playing an extra competitive '39th' top-flight match abroad.

"The idea of an extra game is gone," Scudamore told the Mail on Sunday.

The concept of playing one of the existing 38 Premier League games overseas has also been explored.

But asked to clarify that games would not be played abroad during the next TV deal from 2016-17 to 2018-19, Scudamore said: "You can make that assumption."

Bidding for the next set of rights is open to tender and there will be 168 live matches available - up from the current 154 matches - split into seven packages.

In a new move, up to 10 Friday night games will be offered.

Scudamore would like an overseas match to take place as well but that does not appear likely.

"I've never shied away from the fact that personally I think it's a good idea," he said. "I bear the scars from thinking it's a good idea.

"A lot of the clubs think it's a good idea... but there is absolutely no timeline and no idea when it might happen."