Historic Matches Planned for Miami and Australia
Villarreal’s encounter with Barcelona, set to take place on December 20 in Miami, alongside AC Milan’s Serie A match against Como in Perth, Australia, in February, is poised to break new ground in the world of football. These will be the first regular-season games played outside their home countries, marking the outcome of a significant legal and political journey.
Major American leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB, have had a history of holding regular-season games overseas, using these events as a strategy to internationalize their brands. However, the introduction of foreign league matches has been a controversial topic, facing criticism from various governing bodies up to FIFA itself.
The landscape began to shift following the resolution of a long-standing antitrust issue initiated by Relevent, a marketing company founded by Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins. The agreement overturned previous restrictions, allowing leagues to consider hosting games abroad. UEFA, which oversees European football, represented one of the final obstacles to this development.
Why is This Significant?
Unlike the NFL’s excursions to places like São Paulo or London, which don’t directly compete with local football cultures, the situation for these LaLiga and Serie A matches is different. Though clubs in MLS and Australia’s A-League aren’t on par with the likes of LaLiga or Serie A, they still represent established professional competitions governed by FIFA.
Who Had to Approve This?
Multiple stakeholders were involved in granting permission for these matches. National football associations from Spain and Italy, regional confederations like UEFA and Concacaf, and FIFA itself were all drawn into the decision-making process, with UEFA being particularly resistant initially.
What Caused UEFA’s Hesitance?
The football associations of Spain and Italy had little reason to oppose these moves, as their own leagues were involved. FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation, both of which had historically opposed league matches being played in the U.S., saw their resistance weakened due to settlements reached with Relevent Sports. This left UEFA in a challenging position, with their president, Aleksander Çeferin, reluctantly approving the games, labeling it an “exceptional case” that should not set a precedent.
What’s Behind This Reluctance?
UEFA’s statement clearly indicated its disapproval of league matches held outside their home territories, emphasizing the need for loyal fans to watch their teams play where they belong. However, the lack of clear regulatory frameworks from FIFA left UEFA with limited options, heightening the risk of further legal complications.
Are These Moves Controversial?
Yes, especially given the implications for clubs like Real Madrid. As Barcelona’s main rival, Madrid argued that moving the Villarreal match to Miami gives an unfair advantage to Barcelona, as the crowd will likely support the Catalan club. This transforms what should have been a challenging away game into a near-home fixture for them.
In the case of Milan versus Como, the move to Australia is less contentious. Milan is unable to use their normal venue due to the 2026 Winter Olympics nearby and cannot reschedule due to logistical issues with Inter Milan, their stadium-sharing neighbor.
As football navigates these waters, questions remain about the necessity of such international ventures and their true impact on the sport’s future.
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