Football Supporters Unite Against International Matches
Football supporters affiliated with over 400 club organizations across Europe made a collective appeal to FIFA and UEFA on Wednesday, urging them to reject proposals by Spain’s La Liga and Italy’s Serie A to host matches in foreign locations. The Spanish Football Federation has given the green light for Barcelona to face Villarreal in Miami this December, while Serie A plans for AC Milan to take on Como in February in Perth, Australia.
Opposition from Fans and Officials
Ahead of UEFA’s executive committee gathering next week in Albania, Football Supporters Europe (FSE), the recognized fan liaison group, is making its stance clear against the idea of ‘out-of-territory’ games, which includes opposition from Villarreal’s own fan group. Their message to UEFA and FIFA emphasized the importance of maintaining the sport’s connection to local communities.
“We emphasize that clubs are not just entertainment venues or traveling shows; they serve their communities and foster a sense of belonging for fans who have been loyal for generations,”
FSE stated, gathering backing from fan representatives across 25 nations.
Critics such as Glenn Micallef, a leading sports official at the European Commission in Brussels, voiced concerns that these plans would compromise the competitive balance of domestic leagues.
“Permitting matches like the one between Barcelona and AC Milan to be moved could unleash a Pandora’s box of unpredictable and irreversible consequences,”
warned the collective of fan groups.
Commercial Interests and Financial Challenges
The push to hold domestic league matches internationally gained momentum after FIFA withdrew from legal proceedings in New York last year against the promotions firm Relevent, which was co-founded by Stephen Ross, the owner of the Miami Dolphins. That organization is set to orchestrate the Villarreal versus Barcelona game, with hopes of expanding both clubs’ global fan bases.
FC Barcelona has been undergoing severe financial challenges, and it’s worth noting that this event is taking place in Miami, where the club’s legendary alumnus, Lionel Messi, currently plays with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. Additionally, Relevent has solidified its role as a vital commercial partner of UEFA, having recently secured a significant agreement to market and sell broadcast and sponsorship rights for UEFA competitions from 2027.
Upcoming Decisions by UEFA
UEFA’s ruling committee, presided over by Aleksander Čeferin, is set to convene on September 11 in Tirana. Last week, Čeferin indicated that discussions with FIFA are necessary, as the governing body currently lacks the legal authority to obstruct matches abroad if the involved national federations approve them.
