Simply days after UEFA lastly accepted the 2 proposals coming from the Spanish LaLiga and the Italian Serie A to play two league matches overseas later this season, regardless of opposing the concept, LaLiga formally introduced the Barcelona vs. Villarreal match for Dec. 20 at Arduous Rock Stadium in Miami.
“We’re trying ahead to assembly all our followers in the US once more, and we thank LaLiga for the chance to get nearer to one of many membership’s fundamental strategic markets. We have been visiting the nation for a few years and have all the time felt the eagerness that FC Barcelona conjures up,” Barca president Joan Laporta mentioned in a launch. “As a world membership with thousands and thousands of supporters around the globe, this chance reinforces our dedication to worldwide followers, particularly in such a key market because the U.S. An official match in a metropolis like Miami, with a big culé group, will undoubtedly be an ideal spectacle that includes two groups competing on the highest stage.”
AC Milan will face Como in Perth, Australia, in February, pending official affirmation from Serie A.
“UEFA has immediately reiterated its clear opposition to home league matches being performed outdoors their dwelling nation. After the assembly of its Government Committee in Tirana final month, UEFA undertook additional consultations with stakeholders to evaluate the extent of the implications of the difficulty, following the purposes it obtained from the Spanish and Italian nationwide soccer associations. That session confirmed the widespread lack of assist that had already been raised by followers, different leagues, golf equipment, gamers and European establishments across the idea of home league matches being relocated overseas,” the assertion learn.
“Nonetheless, on condition that the related FIFA regulatory framework — at present beneath assessment — shouldn’t be clear and detailed sufficient, the UEFA Government Committee has reluctantly taken the choice to approve, on an distinctive foundation, the 2 requests referred to it. UEFA will actively contribute to the continued work led by FIFA to make sure that future guidelines uphold the integrity of home competitions and the shut bond between golf equipment, their supporters and native communities. In parallel, all UEFA nationwide associations confirmed their dedication to have interaction with UEFA earlier than submitting any future requests. In doing so, they voiced their collective willpower to safeguard the broader pursuits of European soccer.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added, “League matches must be performed on dwelling soil, anything would disenfranchise loyal match-going followers and probably introduce distortive parts in competitions. Our session confirmed the breadth of those issues. I wish to thank the 55 nationwide associations for his or her constructive and accountable engagement on such a delicate subject. Whereas it’s regrettable to should let these two video games go forward, this choice is outstanding and shall not be seen as setting a precedent. Our dedication is evident: to guard the integrity of nationwide leagues and be certain that soccer stays anchored in its dwelling setting”.
AC Milan will face Como on Feb. 6 in Perth as their dwelling stadium, San Siro, will host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympic Video games that can happen in Italy subsequent 12 months, whereas Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami in December (the date shall be confirmed later) in what would be the first ever LaLiga and Serie A video games performed outdoors the nations.
