UEFA Release Statement as Two Games Approved to Be Played Abroad
UEFA has “regrettable” approved the decision to allow European league fixtures to be played abroad.
European football’s governing body has stressed its “clear opposition” to the plans, but was essentially unable to block the move as there is no existing legal framework to stop it.
UEFA has approved the decision to allow both Italian and Spanish domestic league matches to be played abroad “on an exceptional basis amid regulatory gaps at global level”.
Serie A wanted February’s league fixture between AC Milan and Como to be staged in Perth, Western Australia – more than 8,500 miles from the San Siro.
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La Liga were hoping to see December’s clash between Villarreal and Barcelona take place in Miami, Florida, at the Hard Rock Stadium.
It now appears that the federations will get their wishes.
This comes after the Spanish Football Federation approved plans to host games in the United States back in August, ahead of seeking approval from UEFA and FIFA - global football’s governing body.
In 2019, Barcelona abandoned plans to play a La Liga fixture against Girona in Miami, citing “lack of consensus” as the reason for the change.
In a lengthy statement on Monday (Ocotober 6), UEFA said: “Consultation confirmed the widespread lack of support that had already been raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions around the concept of domestic league matches being relocated abroad.
“However, given that the relevant FIFA regulatory framework — currently under review — is not clear and detailed enough, the UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests referred to it. UEFA will actively contribute to the ongoing work led by FIFA to ensure that future rules uphold the integrity of domestic competitions and the close bond between clubs, their supporters and local communities.”
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin claimed that “League matches should be played on home soil” before going on to say the controversial move “disenfranchises loyal match-going fans”.
“While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent,” Ceferin explained.
As reported by The Athletic in September, the German Football League has already ruled out moving Bundesliga matches abroad.
Will Premier League matches be held outside of the UK?
For now, the answer to that question is no.
Back in August, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said there are no plans to host English top-flight football outside of England.
Also speaking in August 2024, Masters told Sky Sports that the idea has not been discussed by shareholders since the idea of “the 39th game” was proposed.
The 39th game was a failed proposal put forward in 2008 with a view to playing an extra league match at a neutral venue outside of England.
The idea, which was put forward to tap into global markets and increase revenue, was scrapped after objections from fans and the wider football community.
European fans hit back at UEFA decision
As expected, the recent decision related to Serie A and La Liga has been met with uproar from fans, with one group, Football Supporters Europe (FSE), suggesting that the plans could cause “long-lasting harm” to the sport.
Some fans took to social media to offer their take.
One said: “We should have just made a super league, at least home games would be played at home. Ridiculous.”
Another added: “This would open the door to more ‘exceptional cases’.”
A third claimed: “There are zero reasons for a domestic league match to ever be played abroad.”
While a fourth stressed: "Spineless nonsense - you've seen this coming, been ill prepared, and rolled over and let it happen. And now you are looking to the morally bankrupt FIFA to supposedly save the situation - FFS."
Topics: UEFA, La Liga, Serie A, Football, Premier League, AC Milan, FIFA, FC Barcelona
Luke Davies