.png)
UEFA has reiterated its firm stance against domestic league matches being staged outside their home countries, even as it reluctantly approved two requests from Spain and Italy to hold games overseas.
Following an Executive Committee meeting in Tirana last month, UEFA said it had carried out further consultations with clubs, leagues, players, fan groups, and European institutions regarding the controversial idea of taking domestic fixtures abroad. The discussions, it said, confirmed “the widespread lack of support” for such proposals.
“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin. “Our consultation confirmed the breadth of these concerns. I would like to thank the 55 national associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such a sensitive issue.”
Despite the strong opposition, UEFA’s Executive Committee agreed to approve two specific applications “on an exceptional basis,” citing uncertainty in FIFA’s existing regulations. Those matches include a proposed LaLiga fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal to be played in Miami in December, and a Serie A clash between AC Milan and Como planned for Perth, Australia, in February.
“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,” Čeferin added. “Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”
In its statement, UEFA said:
“UEFA has today reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country. After the meeting of its Executive Committee in Tirana last month, UEFA undertook further consultations with stakeholders... That 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.”
The European body confirmed that all 55 of its national associations have agreed to consult UEFA before submitting any similar requests in future, reflecting what it described as a “collective determination to safeguard the wider interests of European football.”
While the approval gives LaLiga and Serie A the green light to move forward, UEFA made clear that such matches abroad will remain exceptions rather than the new norm.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @uefa, Unsplash / Dexter Fernandes
