Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has insisted that the idea of playing additional matches abroad has not been scrapped.

Proposals for an extra round of Premier League matches to be played at neutral venues spread across the world sparked widespread criticism when revealed earlier in the season, leading the Football Association to reject the plan.

However, the Premier League, keen to further exploit their international popularity, are rethinking their plans.

Scudamore told BBC yesterday: "The idea is not over forever because no idea is over forever. We do have to grapple with globalisation and how we take it forward.

"We are revising, looking at other plans and it is certainly not over."

Arsenal collapse behind Flamini's departure

Mathieu Flamini had planned to sign a new deal with Arsenal last summer but the 'pain' of missing out on the Premier League title influenced his decision to leave the Emirates.

The Frenchman has opted to join Italian giants Milan instead of signing a contract extension with the Gunners, who were five points clear at the top of the Premier League in February.

Asked if winning the title would have made a difference, Flamini said: "That would have weighed in the balance. It would certainly have counted.

"I actually wanted to sign a new contract at Arsenal last July but it didn't happen. Milan did so much to sign me I couldn't refuse."

Ancelotti rejects Drogba reports

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied reports linking the club with a move for Chelsea's Didier Drogba.

Reports last weekend claimed Drogba, who is reported to be unsettled at Chelsea, is close to agreeing a three-year deal with the Rossoneri.

"Does Didier Drogba have a deal with Milan? It's all rubbish," said Ancelotti.

Ancelotti also revealed Milan are unlikely to sign Palermo's Amauri even though he is a big admirer of the striker.

"I respect Amauri and have said so many times, but it will be difficult to see him arrive at Milan," he said.

Wenger eager to secure transfer targets in next few weeks

Arsene Wenger is confident of luring his top summer transfer targets to the Emirates Stadium and hopes the Arsenal fans will be "reassured" the future is bright.

With midfielder Mathieu Flamini joining Milan and Alexander Hleb reported to be ready to buy out his contract and join Inter, Wenger looks set for a busy two months.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Portsmouth's Croatian winger Niko Kranjcar and Lyon's Hatem Ben Arfa, both valued around £12million, as well as Cameroon midfielder Jean Makoun - currently at Lille - while Valencia forward David Villa has talked of his admiration for the Gunners.

"I know what I want and I am very confident," he said. "I hope to turn that around in the next two or three weeks. They (fans) should be re-assured by what they see."

Terry should be fit for Moscow after arm injury

Chelsea captain John Terry said he should be fit to face Manchester United in the Champions League final on May 21 after he was carried off on a stretcher in his team's final Premier League game yesterday.

The England defender collided with his own keeper Petr Cech and Bolton's Kevin Davies inside the opening 15 minutes and was taken off with an elbow injury. Terry returned to lead his team on a lap of honour and said he had no broken bones.

"There's no break, no broken bones," he told the crowd. Asked by Sky Sports if he would be ready for the Champions League final, Terry said: "I should be - fingers crossed."

Inter's Figo wants to play for another year

Luis Figo has made up his mind to continue his career for one more season and hopes to do it with Inter.

When the Portuguese extended his contract by another year last summer, the plan was to retire in 2008 and take on a desk job at the club.

However, following a series of injury problems, Figo revealed that there has been a change of heart.

"I don't know what my future will be yet, but I don't want to end it on the treatment table. I would like to continue for another year," he said

"I owe six months of football to Inter, I hope to carry on here."

Udinese confident of getting UEFA licence

Udinese are "confident" their UEFA licence will be granted on appeal.

Last Friday, UEFA issued licences to 13 Serie A clubs to compete in Europe next season - Atalanta, Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter, Juventus, Lazio, Milan, Napoli, Palermo, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria and Torino.

Udinese, who have already qualified for the UEFA Cup in 2008-09, were missing from the list but they have already filed an appeal.

"We are confident the problem will be resolved in five days," said director general Pietro Leonardi.

"It all arose from an interpretation of a bureaucratic issue, but there are five days to make an appeal and we are ready."

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