UEFA has approved the staging of a La Liga and a Serie A match in the United States and Australia, despite strong opposition from fans.
The ruling allows Barcelona to face Villarreal in Miami this December, while AC Milan will take on Como in Perth, Australia, in February.
Supporters’ groups had fiercely criticised the idea of moving domestic league matches abroad, arguing that it disrespects local fans and threatens the integrity of national competitions.
In a statement released on Monday, UEFA acknowledged these concerns, calling the approvals an “exceptional” decision that should not be seen as a precedent. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said, “League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially distort competitions. Our consultation confirmed the depth of these concerns.
“While it is regrettable to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and must not be viewed as setting a precedent. Our commitment remains to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure football stays rooted in its home environment.”
The decision follows applications from the Spanish and Italian football federations to host the games abroad. UEFA added that its national associations have agreed to consult with the organisation before submitting similar requests in the future.
UEFA’s executive committee had previously postponed its verdict last month, noting that there was limited support for the concept after extensive consultations.
