Credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

UEFA Make Tough Call: Two Domestic League Matches for Barcelona and AC Milan Heading Abroad

Credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

In a shocking move, UEFA have reluctantly approved two landmark domestic league fixtures to be played outside Europe. Villarreal will face Barcelona in Miami this December. Meanwhile AC Milan are set to play Como in Perth, Australia, in February. The move marks the first time in history, pending FIFA’s final approval

No domestic league matches from Europe have ever taken place abroad prior to this. UEFA’s executive committee approved both requests from La Liga and Serie A “on an exceptional basis,” describing the decision as “regrettable.” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated, “League matches should be played on home soil.”

We are opposed to domestic league matches being played abroad.

Two requests have been approved on an exceptional basis due to regulatory gaps at global level.

We are committed to anchoring the integrity of domestic competitions and fans’ perspectives in forthcoming FIFA rules.
— UEFA (@UEFA) October 6, 2025

They added, “Anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions.” He reiterated that this decision “shall not be seen as setting a precedent.” He emphasized UEFA’s continued opposition to domestic matches being exported.

Legal Pressures for UEFA and FIFA’s Role

The governing body cited a lack of legal clarity in FIFA’s current framework as the main reason for its reluctant approval. According to The Athletic, UEFA explained that its regulatory powers were limited due to an ongoing review of FIFA’s legislation.

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They mentioned that it is “not clear and detailed enough” to reject such proposals. The root of this issue dates back to a 2019 lawsuit filed by Relevent Sports, a U.S.-based event promoter. They challenged FIFA’s right to block overseas domestic games.

Relevent Sports, which already holds UEFA commercial rights for upcoming European competitions, has been instrumental in pushing for matches on U.S. soil. Its growing influence has played a crucial role in shifting the conversation toward globalising Europe’s domestic leagues.

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Fan Opposition and Future Implications

Naturally, fan groups have been vehemently opposed to the idea. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) condemned the move. They warned that it could cause “long-lasting harm” to the sport and urged stronger regulations to prevent future instances. UEFA acknowledged this widespread backlash.

The governing body admitted that it found a “widespread lack of support” among clubs, players, and fans. While UEFA insists this decision is a one-off, many see it as a sign of things to come. With La Liga president Javier Tebas and Serie A’s Ezio Simonelli both championing the idea. And even with UEFA’s reluctancy, this could still set a precedent.

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Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.