UEFA chief hits out at games played abroad

FootballSports
8 Oct 2025 • 8:48 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin warned that relocating football matches away from their traditional community foundations risks "breaking" the sport.
  • Despite this, European football's governing body reluctantly approved one LaLiga and one Serie A fixture to be played overseas this season, citing ongoing legal uncertainties.
  • Proposed matches include Villarreal versus Barcelona in Miami and AC Milan versus Como in Perth, Australia, pending final approval from host confederations.
  • Ceferin emphasised that football is integral to communities and stressed the importance of unity and inclusion, reiterating UEFA's opposition to a closed Super League.
  • The decision follows a settlement in April 2024 regarding FIFA's 2018 regulations on staging matches overseas, which opened the door for such fixtures while a new framework is discussed.

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