Uefa ‘Reluctantly’ Approves Games Played Abroad Amid Controversy

Uefa president Alexander Ceferin has characterized the decision to stage two European league matches outside their home countries as “regrettable,” yet insists it is a unique event that will not set a long-term precedent. This comment comes in light of the imminent clash between La Liga rivals Villarreal and Barcelona, which is scheduled to occur in December in Miami. This match is particularly noteworthy, as it marks the first European league fixture ever played on foreign soil.

In February, another significant match will take place when AC Milan’s Serie A clash with Como is held in Perth, Australia. These developments have prompted Uefa to reaffirm its strong opposition to the idea of playing league matches abroad. Despite this position, Uefa found itself compelled to grant approval for the matches, citing a lack of existing legal frameworks capable of effectively prohibiting such actions.

In an interview, Ceferin expressed significant concern about the potential consequences of allowing these overseas matches. “League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” he stated. His words underscore the critical role that home matches play in maintaining the essential connection between fans and the sport while preserving the competitive integrity of domestic leagues.

Additionally, Ceferin conveyed appreciation for the input from the 55 national football associations, acknowledging their constructive and thoughtful participation in discussions surrounding this sensitive matter. “While it is, indeed, disappointing to permit these two matches to take place, this decision should be interpreted as an isolated incident rather than the beginning of a trend,” he commented. He further emphasized, “Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”

Conversely, the fans’ group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has voiced strong criticism regarding Uefa’s decision, warning that hosting these matches abroad could lead to “long-lasting harm” to the sport. In an interview, FSE representative Michael Hurst remarked, “FSE will continue to stand firmly with fans in Spain and Italy in resisting these damaging proposals.” He highlighted the urgency for a more stringent regulatory framework to prevent similar situations in the future, asserting, “Together with our members in these countries, we are exploring every possible option to counter these plans.”

Hurst articulated the predicament further, stating, “By moving forward with these overseas matches, La Liga and Serie A risk undermining their own history and long-term success while inflicting substantial harm to football in Europe and beyond.” He reiterated the need for a solid regulatory framework that would protect domestic competition.

Uefa’s consultations revealed a significant “widespread lack of support” for the notion of playing league matches abroad among various stakeholders, including fans, other leagues, clubs, players, and European institutions. In an official statement, Uefa explained: “Our findings reflected that the vast majority of stakeholders oppose the idea of league fixtures being played outside of their home countries.” However, they noted that Fifa’s existing regulatory guidelines are “not clear and detailed enough” to enable them to effectively block such plans.

Last year, Fifa established a working group to investigate the implications of playing competitive domestic matches internationally, demonstrating an increasing awareness of the complex dynamics involved.

Interestingly, La Liga had previously sought to organize a match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in Miami; however, that plan was ultimately abandoned due to scheduling conflicts. In 2019, Barcelona had also considered hosting a league game against Girona in Miami, yet that initiative faced backlash from Spain’s football association and player union, leading to its cancellation.

While there have been successful one-off events, such as the Italian Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup staged abroad in recent years, the prospect of making these overseas matches a regular occurrence remains contentious. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters noted that there are currently no intentions to hold English top-flight matches outside of the UK. He stated during an interview, “The Premier League has no plans to play any matches overseas, and we are committed to maintaining the domestic integrity of our competition.”

The concept of introducing a ‘39th game’ played abroad was proposed in 2008, yet the initiative was shelved after receiving widespread criticism from both fans and media outlets.

This ongoing situation raises critical questions about the balance between the globalization of football and the preservation of its local traditions. The unfolding scenario illustrates the urgent need for continued discussions among all stakeholders in the sport to address these complexities and to protect the integrity of football while ensuring that the voices of fans are taken into consideration in these significant decisions. As the global landscape of football evolves, prioritizing fan engagement will be vital to maintaining the sport’s rich heritage and authenticity.