World news story

UK supports Lao passion for Premier League football

British Ambassador Malone presented the trophy to the winning team in the Lao English Premiership Fan Club League in Vientiane on Sunday.

• From: British Embassy Vientiane
• Published: 21 July 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Ambassador Philip Malone presents trophy to Lao BPL Fan club League winners, Lao Newcastle United Fan club team in Vientiane on Sunday. [Photo by British Embassy Vientiane]

Contrary to the fortunes of their English namesake who finished 10th in the English league this year, the Newcastle United Lao Fan Club finished first in the 2013/14 Lao English Premiership Fan Club League, ahead of nearest rivals Queens Park Rangers Lao Fan Club and Swansea Lao Fan Club. Meanwhile the Lao counterpart of the English Premier League winners Manchester City finished a disappointing 9th in the Lao Fan Club league.

The Lao English Premiership Fan Club League comprises amateur Lao football teams which gather together fans of their English Premier League counterparts. The teams compete each weekend in a schedule which mirrors the English Premier League season. It is believed Laos is one of the few countries in the world to have recreated and adapted the English Premier League in this way, demonstrating the Lao passion for English football. The Lao Barclays Premier League Fan Club League and Premier League News @Laos Facebook pages, run by a group of young football fans and the league’s organisers, number over 12,000 followers collectively in a country of only 6.3 million people with internet penetration of only 10%.

Presenting the Championship Trophy, Ambassador Philip Malone said:

I am delighted to be here to support the Lao passion for English Premier League football in this way. Sport is a great way to connect young people, stay healthy and have fun at the same time. Following the English Premiership is also a great way to improve your English.

The success of the Lao English Premiership Fan Club league has raised interest at the Premier League’s headquarters in London who are planning to report on the Lao league on their website.

Chelsea Football Club became the first Premier League club to ever visit Laos earlier this year when the Chelsea Football Club Foundation undertook 2 days of training for young people in Vientiane, supported by Coca Cola.

Since re-opening in 2012, the British Embassy is actively trying to pursue more links between the UK and Laos in a range of areas.

Further information

Follow the British Embassy Vientiane on Facebook

Published 21 July 2014