UEFA Postpones Decision on LaLiga Match in Miami
The UEFA Executive Committee has opted to postpone its decision regarding the request from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to host a LaLiga match between Villarreal and Barcelona at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. Following their meeting in Tirana, Albania, UEFA announced plans to engage in discussions with a variety of stakeholders, including fan groups, before arriving at a conclusion on this contentious issue.
Fan Opposition and Stakeholder Input
This decision comes as more than 400 supporter groups from various clubs across Europe have expressed their dissent against the idea of relocating domestic matches overseas. The fan association Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has formally urged both UEFA and FIFA to reject this proposal.
In addition to the RFEF’s request, UEFA also chose to defer a similar matter regarding Serie A’s appeal to allow the Inter Milan match against Como to take place in Perth, Australia, next February. The RFEF had earlier approved Barcelona’s match against Villarreal, scheduled for December 20 in Miami, but it ultimately falls to governing bodies like UEFA to render a final decision.
Acknowledging the significance of the matter, UEFA emphasized the importance of collecting input from all relevant parties. A statement from UEFA indicated that both the RFEF and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) had their requests discussed, recognizing it as a growing concern that necessitates comprehensive stakeholder input before any resolutions are made.
Concerns Over Competitive Integrity
Despite UEFA’s pledge for an open consultation process, criticism persists. Opponents, including Glenn Micallef, the European Commission’s chief of sports, argue that moving matches abroad would undermine the competitive integrity of domestic leagues. Meanwhile, leagues in England and Germany do not currently have plans to stage overseas matches, a scenario that could provoke stronger resistance among their fans than within Spanish or Italian leagues.
Financial Challenges and International Games
In recent times, La Liga and Serie A have been challenged financially, struggling to compete with the Premier League’s burgeoning global popularity. Both leagues view the potential for international games as a strategy to enhance their visibility and expand their brand, similar to trends seen in the United States sports market. However, Richard Masters, CEO of the Premier League, reiterated that there are no current intentions to host matches outside England.
Attempts to host matches abroad are not unprecedented; La Liga had previously attempted to play in Miami in 2018, blocked at the time by FIFA. Last year, the landscape shifted when FIFA withdrew from legal proceedings initiated by the marketing agency Relevent, which is now a prominent partner of UEFA, having secured rights to negotiate broadcasting and sponsorship agreements for the Champions League starting in 2027.
FIFA’s Review and Cultural Concerns
Furthermore, FIFA is reviewing its regulations concerning domestic games held abroad, with its 37-member council, including representatives from UEFA, scheduled to convene next month. In this climate, UEFA leaders previously indicated they do not favor games being played internationally, yet they seem to lack the legal authority to prevent them effectively.
The FSE emphasized the cultural connection between football and its traditional venues, stating,
“European football belongs to our stadiums, our cities, our communities,”
asserting that even one domestic match played overseas is one too many. Similarly, Spain’s sports minister, Pilar Alegría, has voiced her opposition to foreign-hosted league games, advocating for the integrity of national competitions to remain within Spain, a nation with rich sporting heritage, renowned stadiums, and passionate fan bases.
Future Aspirations for Spain
Meanwhile, Alegría confirmed that the Spanish government is working towards hosting the 2030 World Cup final in Spain, engaging in discussions with Portugal and Morocco to facilitate this goal. She expressed optimism about iconic venues such as Santiago Bernabéu and Camp Nou potentially serving as hosts, although discussions remain ongoing and the final decision has yet to be made.
