UEFA has reiterated its opposition to domestic league games being played abroad and has warned that such a move would “disenfranchise loyal match-going fans” in a blunt statement
UEFA have again voiced their opposition to domestic league games being played abroad. UEFA’s President, Aleksander Ceferin, warned that playing matches overseas would “disenfranchise loyal match-going fans”.
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has previously expressed his determination to see Premier League football matches played in New York, as well as moving fixtures to various parts of the globe. Both Italy and Spain’s football federations have revealed plans to host matches in Australia and the United States, which would see AC Milan face off against Como in Australia and Barcelona take on Villarreal in Miami.
UEFA’s announcement on Monday granted permission for the respective Serie A and La Liga fixtures to be played overseas but labelled the decision as “regrettable”, with Ceferin issuing a stark warning to fans.
“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. “Our consultation confirmed the breadth of these concerns.
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“I would like to thank the 55 national associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such a sensitive issue.”
“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.”
UEFA stated in their announcement: “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 to assess the extent of the implications of the issue, following the applications it received from the Spanish and Italian national football associations.
“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.
“In parallel, all UEFA national associations confirmed their commitment to engage with UEFA before submitting any future requests. In doing so, they voiced their collective determination to safeguard the wider interests of European football.”
Liverpool chairman since 2010, 75-year-old Werner has overseen the Reds’ transformation from mid-table obscurity to English champions. However, his suggestion of hosting Premier League matches abroad has been met with backlash, with Liverpool’s principal owner John W Henry distancing himself from the proposal.
In a 2024 interview with the Financial Times, Werner expressed: “I’m determined one day to have a Premier League game be played in New York City.
“I even have the sort of crazy idea that there would be a day where we play one game in Tokyo, one game a few hours later in Los Angeles, one game a few hours later in Rio, one game a few hours later in Riyadh and make it sort of a day where football, where the Premier League, is celebrated.”
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