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In a groundbreaking yet contentious move, UEFA has granted permission for Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A to stage league matches outside their home countries, a decision described by the European football governing body as both “regrettable” and “exceptional.” This landmark ruling paves the way for two historic fixtures: Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami, Florida, and AC Milan will take on Como in Perth, Australia. These matches mark the first time that domestic league games from Europe’s top-tier competitions will be played abroad, raising significant debate about the future of football’s traditions and its relationship with fans.
The approval came after separate requests from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) were reluctantly endorsed during a recent UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Tirana, Albania. UEFA’s decision was not made lightly. In a detailed statement, the organization underscored its firm opposition to relocating domestic league matches overseas, citing widespread disapproval from stakeholders, including fans, players, clubs, leagues, and European institutions. However, UEFA pointed to deficiencies in FIFA’s regulatory framework as the primary reason for its inability to block the requests.
“UEFA has today reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country,” the statement declared. “After consultations with stakeholders, including fans, leagues, clubs, players, and European institutions, it became clear that there was widespread lack of support for such a move. However, given that the relevant FIFA regulatory framework 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.” The statement also emphasized UEFA’s commitment to working with FIFA to develop robust regulations that protect the integrity of domestic competitions and preserve the deep connection between clubs, their supporters, and local communities.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin issued a separate statement to clarify the organization’s stance and to temper expectations about future approvals. “League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” Čeferin asserted. “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. Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.” His remarks reflect UEFA’s unease with the decision and its determination to prevent similar moves in the future.
The approved matches are set to take place in early 2026. Barcelona’s clash with Villarreal in Miami is scheduled for January, while AC Milan’s encounter with Como in Perth is slated for February. These fixtures represent a significant departure from the tradition of playing domestic league games within their respective countries, a practice that has long defined European football. The decision has sparked a wave of criticism from fan groups, European officials, and other stakeholders who view the move as a betrayal of football’s core values.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE), a prominent fan advocacy group, issued a strongly worded statement condemning the decision. “FSE will continue to stand firmly with fans in Spain and Italy in resisting these damaging proposals,” the organization declared. “Together with our members in these countries, we are looking into every possible option to counter these plans. By forcing through these matches, La Liga and Serie A risk undermining their own history and long-term success while inflicting long-lasting harm to football in Europe, and beyond.” FSE also called for a robust regulatory framework to protect domestic competitions and urged UEFA, FIFA, and European institutions to prioritize the voices of supporters.
The European Union Sport Commissioner, Glenn Micallef, echoed these sentiments, describing the relocation of domestic league games abroad as “not innovation, but betrayal.” His remarks highlight the broader concerns among European officials about the potential erosion of football’s cultural and communal significance. Critics argue that moving matches overseas prioritizes commercial interests over the loyalty of local fans, who may be unable to attend games held thousands of miles away.
UEFA has made it clear that its approval was a procedural necessity rather than an endorsement of the concept. The organization is actively collaborating with FIFA’s working group to revise regulations and ensure that future rules explicitly prohibit the relocation of domestic fixtures outside their home countries. FIFA, as the global governing body for football, will have the final say on the matter, as it continues to refine its policies on international league matches. UEFA’s involvement in this process underscores its commitment to safeguarding the traditions and competitive balance of European football.
The decision to allow these matches has also raised questions about the motivations behind La Liga and Serie A’s requests. For leagues and clubs, staging matches in markets like the United States and Australia offers significant commercial opportunities, including increased television revenue, sponsorship deals, and global brand exposure. Miami, a vibrant hub for sports and entertainment, and Perth, a growing market for football in the Asia-Pacific region, are strategic choices to tap into new audiences. However, these commercial benefits come at the cost of alienating loyal supporters who value the accessibility and tradition of attending matches in their home countries.
Supporters’ groups have been particularly vocal about the potential long-term consequences of this trend. They argue that relocating matches could set a dangerous precedent, leading to a future where domestic leagues prioritize global markets over local communities. The emotional and cultural bond between clubs and their fans, forged through decades of shared history, is at risk of being undermined by decisions driven by financial gain. FSE’s statement reflects this concern, warning that La Liga and Serie A’s actions could “inflict long-lasting harm” on the sport.
Despite the backlash, some observers see the move as an inevitable evolution of football in an increasingly globalized world. The sport has long sought to expand its reach, with international friendlies, pre-season tours, and competitions like the FIFA Club World Cup already taking place across continents. Proponents argue that staging a limited number of matches abroad could help grow the sport’s global fanbase without significantly disrupting domestic competitions. However, UEFA’s firm opposition and the vocal resistance from fans suggest that any further attempts to relocate matches will face significant hurdles.
As the football world awaits FIFA’s updated regulations, the debate over the globalization of domestic leagues is likely to intensify. UEFA’s reluctant approval of the Barcelona-Villarreal and Milan-Como matches has opened a Pandora’s box of questions about the future of the sport. Can football balance its commercial ambitions with its cultural roots? Will fans’ voices be heard in the face of growing financial pressures? For now, the two approved matches represent a cautious step into uncharted territory, but UEFA’s commitment to preventing further relocations suggests that the battle to preserve football’s traditions is far from over.
In conclusion, UEFA’s decision to allow La Liga and Serie A to stage matches in Miami and Perth is a historic but controversial milestone for European football. While the organization has emphasized that the approval is exceptional and not precedent-setting, the move has ignited fierce debate about the sport’s identity and values. As UEFA works with FIFA to strengthen regulations, the voices of fans, clubs, and other stakeholders will play a critical role in shaping the future of domestic competitions. The upcoming matches in 2026 will serve as a litmus test for the viability and impact of playing league games abroad, with the football world watching closely to see how this experiment unfolds.
