PREMIER LEAGUE STARS READY FOR ACTION IN ePL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Saturday, 18 April:  Premier League footballers will be putting their EA SPORTS FIFA 20 skills to the test in the inaugural ePremier League Invitational tournament.

A host of familiar faces are going head to head as they represent their club in a knockout tournament from the comfort of their own homes from Tuesday 21 April.

The prize fund is being donated to the #PlayersTogether initiative, which was created by Premier League players as a collective way of generating funds for the UK’s National Health Service and distributing them where they are needed most. The tournament will also continue to urge everyone to follow official advice by staying home and saving lives.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: ‘The thoughts of everyone at the Premier League are with all those directly affected by COVID-19.

‘In response to the pandemic, the League, our clubs and players are providing valuable support for communities.

‘We are also aware of the importance of finding new ways to entertain fans at this time and we are excited to bring together a strong line-up of players for the ePremier League Invitational tournament.

‘With many of our international broadcast partners showing the matches, fans around the world can tune in and enjoy the action. We know how popular FIFA20 is with players and I am looking forward to seeing who will be crowned the ePL Invitational champion.’

Among the players competing in the tournament are Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Todd Cantwell (Norwich City), Ryan Fredericks (West Ham United), Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) and Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace).

The full line-up will be confirmed ahead of the draw for the tournament, which takes place on Monday 20 April. The opening rounds feature four matches per day between midday (BST) and 4pm (BST) from Tuesday 21 April to Friday 24 April. The semi-finals and final will be televised live at 3pm (BST) on Saturday April 25.

Fans can watch all the action throughout the week on the Premier League website, app, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, Official Premier League Broadcast Channels, YouTube and Twitch channels as well on the Football Daily YouTube channel.

For more information visit www.premierleague.com/epl-invitational.

The ePL Invitational tournament is operated by esports tournament organisers Gfinity, who have worked on the first two seasons of ePremier League.

Notes to editors ePremier League

ePremier League is an online EA SPORTS FIFA 20 tournament which kicked off in 2018, with FIFA players from throughout the UK representing Premier League clubs on PlayStation 4 and Xbox On

The inaugural ePL champion was Tekkz who lifted the trophy on behalf of Liverpool FC. The 2019/20 finals have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. ePL Invitational players will compete on PlayStation 4 only, with each representative playing as their club and all ratings on the game levelled out to ensure an even playing field.

About the Premier League

The Premier League produces some of the most competitive and compelling football in the world. The League and its clubs use the power and popularity of the competition to inspire fans, communities, and partners in the UK and across the world. The Premier League brings people together from all backgrounds. It is a competition for everyone, everywhere and is available to watch in 1 billion homes in 188 countries.

The popularity of Premier League in India has grown by leaps and bounds, says Premier League India Ambassador Ranveer Singh

~ Bollywood Star Ranveer Singh and Premier League Ambassador Alan Shearer took part in a cricket skills challenge in Mumbai to highlight youth tournament between ISL and Premier League~

Mumbai, 28^th February 2020: Bollywood actor and Premier League Ambassador for India, Ranveer Singh, took to the turf for an exhibition cricket skills challenge against Premier League record goal scorer Alan Shearer at the Gallant Sports Arena in Mumbai. They were joined by youth players from Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Reliance Young Champs, Chelsea FC, Manchester United and Southampton FC who are here competing in the Next Generation Mumbai Cup, an event hosted by the Premier League and Indian Super League to support football development in India.

Ranveer, who is starring in upcoming project named ‘83 said: “ First I would begin by saying that it is such a surreal feeling to be able to spend a day with a Premier League legend and greatness like Alan Shearer, I have grown up watching his exploits on the field, and having him present here in my hometown it’s a huge honor and privilege.”

Ranveer and Alan interacted with the academy players of the Next Generation Mumbai Cup, and played a friendly football match with the boys. The Premier League ambassadors then each had a team of the young players work with them to try and defeat the other in cricket and football skills challenges; bringing the two sports and cultures together and sharing some light moments on ground.

“The popularity of Premier League in India has grown by leaps and bounds in the past few years, and I have had the utmost pleasure of playing the ambassadorial role for Premier League in India thus far. I am always in close touch with the Premier League’s London office and the kind of initiatives they are planning in India. The Next Generation Mumbai Cup is a testimony to the fact that the Premier League are paving the way for developing grassroots talent in the country and providing a world class platform for budding Indian footballers. I hope I can attract more youngsters to follow the League as I firmly believe that there cannot be any better league for football fans than the Premier League.” said the Bollywood actor.   

The Next Generation Mumbai Cup takes place during a week of activities dedicated to youth player development as part of the Premier League’s ongoing partnership with the ISL. Representatives from the Premier League, Chelsea FC, Manchester United FC and Southampton FC will work with 75 ISL coaches, local coaches and referees from across India to lead workshops, offer training and run development forums. The week will provide cultural and educational experiences for the 108 young players involved. This tournament and surrounding events are just some of the ways the two leagues are working together as the Premier League and its clubs provide ongoing support to ISL clubs.

Premier League ambassador Alan Shearer said: “It is my third visit to India  and I love the energy of the place. The standard of football in the country is just getting better and better. The Indian Super League and the Premier League are working hard to nurture young footballers through tournaments like the Next Generation Mumbai Cup and I have no doubt India will be producing world class footballers in the future. There is an abundance of young talent in India and collaborative efforts by the Premier League and Indian Super League will help pave the way for young talented players.”

“The games will not only benefit the Indian boys but also the boys from England as they will be sampling with a different culture, play against a different football system and pass their knowledge of Premier League football with the ISL which is just wonderful,” said Premier League record goal scorer, Alan Shearer.

Ranveer Singh when quizzed on Premier League’s efforts of contributing to Indian football. He said: “ The Premier League have been doing some wonderful work of importing knowledge, expertise and infrastructure to the Indian football system. We have a boy from Goa and Bengaluru interacting and playing football with the boys from Chelsea, Southampton and Manchester. These are unprecedented ways of promoting the sport at the grassroots level.”