UEFA approved two European domestic league matches to be played abroad, marking a controversial and unprecedented move. Villarreal vs Barcelona is set to take place in Miami this December, while AC Milan will face Como in Perth, Australia, in February. Despite its long-standing opposition to holding league matches outside of home countries, UEFA stated that it “reluctantly” allowed these games due to the lack of a legal framework to prevent them.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin called the decision regrettable and emphasized that it is exceptional, stressing that it should not be seen as setting a precedent. He reiterated UEFA’s commitment to keeping domestic matches on home soil to protect the integrity of competitions and the interests of loyal, match-going fans.
The move has sparked criticism from Football Supporters Europe, which warned that taking league games abroad could cause long-term harm to the sport. The group called for stronger regulations to prevent such decisions in the future.
UEFA said its consultation with stakeholders showed widespread opposition to the idea, with concerns raised by fans, clubs, players, and other leagues. However, the organisation also pointed out that FIFA’s current rules are not detailed enough to block these matches legally.
While Super Cups have previously been staged overseas, this marks the first time regular European league matches will be played outside the continent. The Premier League has reaffirmed that it has no plans to follow suit, but growing commercial interest may test that stance in the future.
