Soccer Fans Rally Against Overseas Matches by Spanish, Italian Leagues

Nyon, Switzerland (AP) – Soccer fans are rallying against plans by Spanish and Italian leagues to play matches outside Europe, urging FIFA and UEFA to prevent this shift from taking place. Over 400 club supporter groups across Europe have spoken against the Spanish football federation's approval for Barcelona to face Villarreal in Miami in December, and Serie A's proposal for AC Milan to host Como in Perth, Australia, in February.

As UEFA's executive committee prepares to meet in Albania next week, Football Supporters Europe, officially recognized as UEFA’s fan liaison group, is highlighting the widespread opposition to these "out-of-territory" games. Even Villarreal fans are voicing their dissent.

Football Supporters Europe stated, “We call on UEFA, FIFA, and all national associations to stand firm and play their role as regulators of the game.” With the backing of fan groups from 25 countries, they emphasized the importance of keeping football anchored in local communities. “Clubs are neither entertainment companies nor traveling circuses. They exist for the benefit of their communities and provide a sense of belonging where fans have been attending home games for generations.”

Critics, including Glenn Micallef, the European Commission's top sports official in Brussels, warn that moving these games could harm the sporting integrity of the leagues, introducing unpredictability and potential chaos, akin to opening "Pandora's box."

The impetus for these proposals became inevitable after FIFA retracted its involvement from a New York court case initiated by the promotions agency Relevent. Co-founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, Relevent aims to host the upcoming Villarreal-Barcelona game at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, helping clubs expand their global brand and fan base.

This comes as Barcelona faces financial difficulties and coincides with their iconic former star Lionel Messi’s current presence in Miami, playing for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Interestingly, Relevent has also partnered with UEFA in a major commercial venture, securing a deal to manage the sale of broadcast and sponsorship rights for six years of the Champions League and other European club competitions starting in 2027.

UEFA's ruling committee is set to meet on September 11 in Tirana. Chaired by president Aleksander Ceferin, the meeting might see discussions with FIFA, especially since Ceferin hinted at UEFA's limited legal power to block these overseas games if the national federations involved endorse them. (AP)

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