Playing matches of European leagues elsewhere is not a positive development according to UEFA's top executive.
In a significant development for the world of football, UEFA President Aleksandar Čeferin has expressed opposition to plans by Spanish and Italian football leagues to host games outside of Europe. This move comes as the Italian Serie A and La Liga look to establish their brands abroad and attract new audiences.
The proposed relocations, such as an AC Milan vs Como game scheduled for February in Australia and a FC Villarreal vs champions FC Barcelona game in Florida in December, are met with resistance from many, including EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef. Micallef, who opposes the plans for football league relocations abroad, believes that such moves are "cheating" and undermine the traditional European football experience.
Micallef, a staunch advocate for community-based clubs, emphasizes that the success of these clubs is owed to their loyal fans and local communities. He argues that strong, community-based clubs are the heart of European sport and moving games abroad risks alienating these vital supporters.
Real Madrid, a rival of La Liga, has also voiced its opposition, calling the plans an "unacceptable precedent." The San Siro, Milan's home stadium, will be occupied by the Winter Olympics at the time of the scheduled game, further complicating matters.
The relocations require the approval of FIFA, among others. However, as of the current situation, UEFA does not have much leverage to intervene due to the support of the Italian and Spanish football associations for the plans. Despite this, Čeferin has acknowledged that relocation might be acceptable in exceptional cases or for valid reasons.
In light of these developments, Čeferin plans to discuss this matter with FIFA and all associations, believing it's not a good idea to move games abroad. He reiterates his belief that European teams should play in Europe because their fans live there and it's a big tradition.
This is considered the first big test for governance since the Super League, a controversial proposal that was met with widespread backlash last year. As the football community watches closely, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.
