UEFA approves Barcelona and AC Milan games abroad in ‘regrettable’ decision

UEFA has approved Barcelona and AC Milan playing league games abroad in what president Alexander Ceferin described as a “regrettable” decision.

Barcelona are set to face Villarreal in Miami in December in what will be the first European league fixture held abroad.

Milan are scheduled to face Como in Perth, Australia in February.

Despite being opposed to the plans, European football’s governing body has reluctantly given the green light for the games to go ahead.

UEFA give approval in ‘exceptional’ decision

UEFA stressed its clear opposition to the games, but effectively conceded it was powerless to stop them being held abroad due to the lack of a legal framework through which to do so.

A UEFA statement read: “UEFA has today reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country.

“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. 

“In parallel, all UEFA national associations confirmed their commitment to engage with UEFA before submitting any future requests. In doing so, they voiced their collective determination to safeguard the wider interests of European football.”

UEFA president: No precedent being set

“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin. 

“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.

“Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”