September 12 – UEFA has delayed a decision to greenlight Italian and Spanish league matches abroad, citing the need to consult with stakeholders.
After the European governing body’s executive committee meeting in Tirana, Albania, a UEFA statement said: “The Executive Committee discussed the requests from the RFEF and FIGC to approve the playing of one domestic league match each outside the home country, in particular outside the UEFA territory. The committee acknowledged it as an important and growing issue but expressed the desire to ensure that it has the views of all stakeholders before coming to a final decision.
“There are many issues to resolve and as the European governing body, UEFA has a responsibility to take all such factors into account. As a result, no decision was taken today but UEFA will undertake a round of consultation with all stakeholders in European football – including fans.”
Proposals to play Villareal – FC Barcelona in Miami, United States and AC Milan – Como in Perth, Australia have rocked European football. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has previously said that “European teams should play in Europe” but that his organisation’s legal options are limited.
US agency Relevent has for years pushed for a LaLiga game to be staged in Miami. Today, the agency also holds the rights for the Champions League, UEFA’s flagship club competition. Last April, Relevent scored a major legal win after it challenged FIFA’s veto on organising league matches abroad. Zurich withdrew from court and decided to review its policy.
Relevent’s plans to stage league matches in Europe will test the relationships between UEFA, the European Club Association (ECA) and the European Leagues, a body that represents 34 leagues on the continent. ECA and the European Leagues, it is understood, have members on both sides of the debate.
In a statement, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) welcomed UEFA’s “meaningful consultation” but said: “Our position remains unchanged: European football belongs to our stadiums, our cities, our communities – one domestic match abroad is one too many.”
UEFA’s next executive committee will take place on December 3.
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