UEFA has repeatedly opposed domestic league matches playing overseas, warning that such moves will take away “fans who steal loyal matches” in a sluggish statement
UEFA has once again expressed its opposition to domestic league matches playing overseas. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin warned that overseas matches will “deprive fans of their rights to steal loyal matches.”
Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner has previously expressed his determination to watch Premier League football games played in New York, and has announced that equipment will be moved to different parts of the world. The Italian and Spanish Football Federations have announced plans to hold matches in Australia and the US. This will bring AC Milan to face Australia’s Como, with Barcelona facing Villarreal in Miami.
UEFA’s announcement on Monday allowed the respective Serie A and Laliga equipment to be made overseas, but the decision was labelled “unfortunate” and Ceferin issued a harsh warning to fans.
“League matches should be played in the soil of the house. Everything else could deprive fans of loyal matches and introduce distorted elements into the competition,” he said. “Our consultations have confirmed the range of these concerns.
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“I would like to thank the 55 National Associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such sensitive issues.”
“It’s a shame we have to move on through these two games, but this decision is exceptional and is not considered a precedent.
“Our commitment is clear: protecting the integrity of the national league and ensuring that football is maintained in a home environment.”
In their announcement, UEFA said:
“After the Executive Committee meeting held in Tirana last month, UEFA held further consultations with stakeholders to assess the extent of the impact of the matter, in accordance with applications received from the National Football Associations of Spain and Italy.
“The consultations confirmed the widespread lack of support already raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions over the notion that domestic league matches are being moved overseas.
“However, given the relevant FIFA regulations framework currently under review, it is not clear and detailed, the UEFA Executive Committee reluctantly made the decision to exceptionally approve the two exceptionally mentioned requests.
“UEFA will actively contribute to the ongoing work led by FIFA, ensuring future regulations maintain the integrity of the national competition and the close ties between the club, its supporters and local communities.
“In parallel, all UEFA National Associations have affirmed their commitment to being involved with UEFA before submitting future requests.
Since 2010, President of Liverpool, 75, Werner has overseen the Reds’ transformation from mid-table ambiguity to British champions. However, his proposal to hold Premier League matches overseas came at a backlash as Liverpool’s main owner, John We Henry, distanced himself from the proposal.
In a 2024 interview with the Financial Times, Werner said:
“There’s even a crazy idea that you’ll play one game in Los Angeles a few hours later, one game in Ria a few hours later, and one game in Riyadh after that, and one game in the Premier League is one game, the soccer that’s celebrated.
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