Sepp Blatter, the president of Fifa, football's international governing body, has hurled himself into a two-footed tackle on Richard Scudamore, the chief executive of England's Premier League.

Mr Blatter has cast himself as the champion of ordinary fans, saying that Mr Scudamore's plan to introduce a 39th game overseas will rob them of the right to watch their beloved teams live. More than that, he has suggested that the introduction of an international fixture could damage Britain's hopes of hosting the World Cup in 2018. Mr Blatter's first argument is disingenuous. His second is disgraceful. He is not acting in the best interests of the game, but his own.

The English Premier League is a stunning commercial and sporting success. Many of the best players in the world now ply their trade in this country. This attracts wealthy owners, the building of better stadiums and bigger audiences. In turn this pays for still-better players. It is a virtuous circle.

It is the fans in this country who benefit most from this. They are now able to see great sportsmen in a more comfortable environment. The idea that preventing the commercial development of the Premier League somehow assists domestic supporters is ridiculous.

The success of the Premier League is based in part on it becoming a global business. Ten times as many people in China watch English games as watch them in this country. It is this, and not any harm to domestic fans, that Mr Blatter really fears. For the success of the English game threatens those running global football as if it were a personal fiefdom.

Of course, Mr Blatter has an obligation to provide leadership. He should, at the right time and in the right place, share his views about the practicalities, and potential conflicts, that 39th Premier League game may create. Since the result of the 39th fixture will count towards full season league placings, it may add an unfair dimension to the competition. English clubs may not want to travel. They may feel the calendar is already cluttered with fixtures and that players' health and fitness would be put at unnecessary risk. Host nations may not want the visitors. Their own domestic fixture timetables may be upset.

Yet none of this excuses Mr Blatter's behaviour. He has behaved like a playground bully. He criticises the Scudamore plan because it brings monetary advantage, but leaves himself open to the accusation that he is protecting the financial privileges of others.

Mr Blatter is facing what the bosses of other businesses have long faced: competition. This is not about the football game. It is about the brutal reality of globalisation.

Mr Blatter has pre-empted legitimate deliberations within English football, and, just as seriously, among colleagues on the Fifa executive board. Assertions that England will fail in its bid to hold the 2018 World Cup if it pursues the 39th game, is tantamount to blackmail. It is high time Mr Blatter was cautioned. This time the card should be yellow. Persistent future offences might merit more serious sanctions.

There was a time when the bosses of football in this country were traditionalists - protecting their rights and rejecting change. The result was falling attendances and a declining game. That time has passed. The English game is determined to evolve and innovate. If Mr Blatter has a better idea than Mr Scudamore he should reveal it. If not, he should get out of the way.