UEFA has given the green light for a Serie A and LaLiga fixture to be played overseas.
However, the sport’s governing body in Europe outlined the two matches were ‘exceptional’ and games outside of the respective nations in which a league is based would not be the rule moving forwards.
In a statement, UEFA confirmed they had approved LaLiga and Serie A‘s requests for Barcelona to play Villarreal in Miami and AC Milan against Como in Perth respectively.
UEFA explain ‘regrettable’ decision
“UEFA has today reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country,” a statement read.
“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.”
Despite the groundbreaking announcement, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin doubled down on the organisation’s commitment ‘to protect the integrity of national leagues’.
“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions.
“Our consultation confirmed the breadth of these concerns. 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.
Barcelona are now poised to feature in the first European league fixture to be played abroadGetty“Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment”.
Where will these fixtures take place?
For Barcelona’s clash against Villarreal, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami is expected to be the venue.
The 64,767-capacity stadium is the home ground for NFL side Miami Dolphins and is the venue for the Miami Open tennis tournament.
Hard Rock Stadium is also on the list for venues to be used at next year’s FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly held by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Prior to UEFA’s approval, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) gave the green light for the game, scheduled for December 21, to be contested overseas in August.
Given Villarreal were the home team for the matchweek 17 fixture, it means they will lose the advantage of playing in front of their loyal supporters at the Estadi de la Ceramica.
Hard Rock Stadium also held a number of Club World Cup games last summerGetty Several Premier League teams have featured in pre-season matches at Optus StadiumMilan’s match against Como, pencilled in for February 8 at the San Siro, is now set to be played at Optus Stadium in Perth.
The Rossoneri visited Perth in 2024 and played AS Roma in a friendly before returning earlier this summer for a match against A-League side Perth Glory.
Milan’s desire to push for the match against Como to be played overseas was due to a scheduling clash with next year’s Winter Olympics opening ceremony, which is set to take place at the San Siro on February 6.
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