Proposals from Italy and Spain to be discussed in December but European football’s governing body will seek input from stakeholders
Uefa has written to all of its 55 member associations instructing them to seek prior approval before sanctioning domestic league fixtures outside Europe.
The move comes amid the debate over playing matches abroad. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has explored taking AC Milan’s match against Como to Australia, while the Spanish Football Federation is processing La Liga’s application to play the fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami on 20 December.
Both proposals have drawn scrutiny and Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin warned in his letter of the “far-reaching implications” of these moves for the game.
In the letter, reported by Sport Bild, Ceferin told federations that the issue is under review at a global level and has already provoked “intense debate and strong reactions from stakeholders and legislators across Europe”.
He added: “Given the sensitivity of this matter, I ask that your association first consult with Uefa regarding any such requests before granting approval and submitting it for formal review.”
The proposals from Italy and Spain were discussed at Uefa’s Executive Committee meeting in Tirana, Albania in September, but no verdict was reached. Instead, European football’s governing body confirmed it would seek input from clubs, leagues, players and fans before making a final decision.
The committee wanted “to ensure that it has the views of all stakeholders before coming to a final decision”, Uefa said in a statement.
The proposals will now be discussed in December, with the governing body retaining the right to block fixtures that move beyond Europe’s borders.
