European leagues underplay the extent of the change and say move will ensure “increased visibility and popularity worldwide”
La Liga and Serie A have hit back at critics of their controversial plan to take league fixtures outside Europe.
Both bodies have recently ramped up plans to organise competitive matches on other continents, with La Liga planning a Barcelona meeting with Villareal in Miami this December, while Serie intend for AC Milan to face Como in Perth, Australia next February.
EU Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef wrote on social media that he was “deeply disappointed” by the plans.
“To me it’s clear that European competitions must be played in Europe,” said Micallef. “European football must stay in Europe. I believe that clubs owe most of their success to their loyal fans and local communities.
“Moving competitions abroad isn’t innovation, it’s betrayal.”
Real Madrid, 36-time Spanish champions, have also spoken strongly against the move by La Liga, describing it as “affecting sporting integrity and risking the competition’s adulteration”.
However, La Liga president Javier Tebas, a big supporter of the idea, and whose organisation is still awaiting approval from Uefa and Fifa for the match in Miami to go ahead, has pushed back at the criticism.
“I understand the concern, but we need to put things into perspective: we are talking about one match out of 380,” said Tebas.
“I am surprised that there is not as much alarm about projects such as the NBA-FIBA European league, which do fundamentally disrupt the European sports model, or about piracy, which is ruining many professional competitions.”
Meanwhile, Serie A defended the move in a statement, arguing its purpose was to ensure “increased visibility and popularity worldwide” for the league.
“To speak of betrayal for a single match, out of a total of 380 Serie A matches, seems an excessive position, which risks fuelling a populist debate,” the league said.
“Taking a match abroad does not mean exporting the championship, but rather introducing new audiences to the excellence of Italian football.”
