Fans have reacted furiously to the Premier League’s proposal to play some competitive fixtures abroad.

Supporters were of one voice in denouncing the move as driven by greed, with many arguing that such a move would undermine the fairness of the league.

Moments after the news broke this afternoon, supporters were already venting their spleens on internet forums and blogs.

Many lamented what they described as another nail in the coffin of the sport.

“This is the beginning of the end for the beautiful game,” wrote one fan on football365.com. “This should not [be] a product to be packaged and marketed.”

Thom Mills, a Times Online reader, advised the Premier League executives against buying a return ticket when they set off on their foreign adventure: “This is nothing more than another stepping-stone to the self-destruction of the major football teams in the UK… Good luck to the Premier League in their new travelling circus.”

Some groups threatened action – in particular, Liverpool supporters who are already engaged in a campaign against their American owners.

“If fans don't unite over this, they never will over anything,” a Liverpool fan wrote on raotl.co.uk. “We let them take a domestic fixture, a competitive fixture, and play it abroad, [then] it's curtains for the game we know and love. I will never step into a ground in this country again.”

Some were quick to point to possible failings in the business rationale of the proposal.

“Nobody will want to see Derby vs Middlesborough in New York,” wrote a supporter at Redcafe.net, the Manchester United forum.

Others simply thought it would be unfair and unworkable. A Times Online reader wrote: “[The plan] would completely eliminate the fairness of the Premier League schedule, which sees every team play every other team twice, one at home and once away. We already have two tournaments with a solid emphasis on luck.”

At Football365.com, a Sheffield United supporter struck a note of levity, recalling his club’s legal dogfight with West Ham United after relegation: “We'd be suing all and sundry if we ever get back into the Premiership and then get relegated because our 39th game was against Man Utd.”