Football Supporters Europe (FSE) welcomes UEFA’s clear opposition to domestic league matches being staged abroad following consultation with stakeholders and widespread objections from across the European and global football community.
However, we regret the decision by UEFA to “reluctantly” allow the requests from La Liga and Serie A to move – on “an exceptional basis amid regulatory gaps at global level” – the matches between Villarreal and FC Barcelona to Miami and between AC Milan and Como to Perth.
In a significant step toward protecting European football, all 55 UEFA member national associations have committed not to make further requests for domestic matches abroad without first consulting UEFA. These safeguarding measures reflect the overwhelming consensus that football belongs in its communities and should remain accessible to supporters, not exported to far-off stadiums on the questionable lure of commercial profit. It is vitally important that it is honoured.
The onus is now on FIFA to plug this regulatory gap. We welcome UEFA’s commitment to work with FIFA to ensure that future rules uphold the integrity of domestic competitions.
We urge La Liga and Serie A to act for the greater good of football and withdraw their plans rather than push ahead in the face of overwhelming opposition from the rest of the football family and the European institutions.
We call on FIFA to uphold and reinforce their current regulations and reject the applications to relocate these domestic fixtures abroad. There is still time to do right by clubs, players, officials, supporters, and communities.
FSE will continue to stand firmly with fans in Spain and Italy in resisting these damaging proposals. Together with our members in these countries, we are looking into every possible option to counter these plans. By forcing through these matches, La Liga and Serie A risk undermining their own history and long-term success while inflicting long-lasting harm to football in Europe – and beyond.
Now is the time for a solid regulatory framework that protects domestic competition. We remain committed to working with UEFA, the European institutions, and all relevant bodies to uphold the voice of the supporters and protect European football.