UEFA has reluctantly granted approval for a Serie A and a LaLiga match to be played outside Europe, marking a rare departure from the governing body’s traditional stance on domestic fixtures.
The European football body confirmed on Monday that Barcelona’s LaLiga clash with Villarreal will take place in Miami in late December, while AC Milan’s Serie A meeting with Como will be held in Perth, Australia, in early February.
Milan opted for a foreign venue as the San Siro will be unavailable while preparations are underway for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in February.
Spain’s LaLiga has long pursued its ambition to expand internationally, mirroring the approach of the NFL and NBA in taking games to foreign markets.
UEFA, however, stressed that the approval was made “as an exception,” citing the lack of regulatory clarity in FIFA’s framework and reaffirming its opposition to the practice.
“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.
“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.”
Italy’s Serie A expressed satisfaction with the ruling.
“For us, a contingency due to the unavailability of San Siro Stadium has turned into an opportunity to satisfy the many fans of Italian football, who will have the chance to watch the match live in Perth,” Serie A League President Ezio Simonelli said.
“It’s also a chance for both teams and Italian football to increase international visibility and grow their fan base.”
Simonelli acknowledged the inconvenience for local fans, noting that Milan supporters face a journey of nearly 13,800 kilometres to watch their team play in Perth, six hours ahead of Italy’s time zone.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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