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La Liga looks to Asian market

La Liga CEO Francisco Roca Perez (pictured) told reporters on the sidelines of the Soccerex Asian forum in Singapore that some 17 matches would be brought forward in the 2010/11 season to increase exposure for Spanish teams in Asia.

English sides, and in particular Manchester United and Liverpool, enjoy phenomenal support in southeast Asia and La Liga is determined to get a slice of the action in a region viewed as a prime market to develop a lucrative fan base.

"Our objective is to be one of the prominent leagues in this part of the world," Perez said, adding that changing game times in Spain was essential for success.

"It is a sport that takes some effort to change things and especially kick-off times, which is always something very sensitive.

"Teams don't like to change their ways and their traditions but I truly believe that the understanding is that this is a huge opportunity and there is no other way."

Cash-strapped Real Mallorca have been banned from competing in this season's Europa League and an audit of champions Barcelona's accounts revealed a loss of nearly $100 million for the 2009/10 season.

Despite the league attracting the sport's finest players, such as Barca's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, other methods of expanding revenue opportunities are required.

"It is realistic, it is not going to happen the first year, probably won't happen in the second year, but why not?"

"Our admiration for what the Premier League has done (in Asia) is huge but what we see is an additional opportunity for the Spanish clubs and the Spanish league," he added.

"Our objective is not to go ahead of the Premier League ... our objective is to be one of the prominent leagues in this part of the world and I think because of the level of football we play in the Spanish league we ought to be."

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