PL managers 'were involved in international round plan'

English managers were involved in original plans to play Premier League matches abroad, according to the former chief executive of the League Managers' Association.

John Barnwell, who stepped down from his position with the LMA before Christmas, said he was approached by Australian company Global Football Events (GFE) two years ago.

He went on to bill the company for £4,000 (€5,230) for LMA time for the work spent on the project, and GFE then approached the Premier League about the plan which developed into the controversial ‘39th step’ proposal.

"They approached us and came to see us and I thought the concept had a bit of meat on it, so I said we could approach certain people in the Premier League and introduce them,” said Barnwell.

"That was two years ago and since then they have asked me for advice on occasions and I invoiced them for LMA time, about £4,000."

A report in the Daily Mail newspaper today quoted emails from GFE suggesting that the managers' organisation was looking to sign a deal which would see them benefit financially from any overseas games.

Barnwell insisted: "The LMA were not trying to cash in on anything, we provided some advice and billed them for it."

GFE also suggested in emails that Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, a board member of the LMA, should be used to push overseas games. As it has turned out, Ferguson is dead-set against the plan.

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson said: "This is an issue between GFE and the Premier League. We never signed the contract. But any match abroad needs the managers' say-so."