uThe EFA gave the green light to be played outside of Spain for a Laliga match between Villarreal and Barcelona. Exceptionally, European groups have granted requests for matches in Miami
UEFA has decided to give Go-Ahead to two requests to play matches abroad: Villarreal-Barcelona and AC Milan-Como. After an executive committee meeting held in Tirana last month, UEFA held further consultations with stakeholders to assess the extent of the impact of the issue, in accordance with requests received from the National Football Association of Spain and Italy.
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The consultations confirmed a widespread lack of support over the notion that fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions move domestic leagues overseas.
However, the relevant FIFA regulations framework currently under review is not sufficiently clear or detailed, so the UEFA Executive Committee has decided to exceptionally approve the two requests submitted. UEFA will actively contribute to FIFA’s ongoing work and ensure that future regulations will maintain the integrity of the national conference and close ties between the clubs, fans and local communities.
At the same time, all UEFA national federations confirmed their commitment to work with UEFA before submitting future applications. They expressed their collective resolve to protect the overall interests of European football.
“This is an exceptional decision, not a precedent.”
When announcing the decision, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said, “League matches should be played at home. Others can strip their rights from loyal fans and introduce distorted elements into the competition. Our consultation confirmed the magnitude of these concerns.
League matches must be played at home. Others will take away loyal fans
“It’s a shame that we have to pause the staging of these two matches, but this decision is exceptional and should not be considered a precedent. Our commitment is clear, to protect the integrity of the national league and ensure that it remains rooted in the local environment,” he added.
FIFA already gives OK to Miami games
After the hidden approval of UEFA for league matches played outside the corresponding countries, namely the Villarreal Barcelona match in Miami, there is no longer a barrier for such a match to become the first Lariga match to be played outside of Spanish territory.
UEFA has looked for legal arguments for matches played under conditions desired by both the team and Spanish football employers, but has not found them. The reason is clear: it is due to the rule that FIFA changed two years ago regarding the possibility of playing games outside of the country of origin.
FIFA does not need to approve any disputes between Villarreal-Barcelona and Milan-Como. The format shows this, but it was the governing body of the world that opened the door for such matches to be played in other countries. It was not an arbitrary, whimsical decision, as it was approved by the FIFA Council in May 2024.
For this reason, as reported by the newspaper, there are no legal obstacles, but they will take place in Miami. FIFA has already given the move OK at the aforementioned council and now it is all they need to seal the permit. There’s nothing more.
