Soccer fans from more than 400 club supporter groups across Europe on Wednesday called on FIFA and UEFA to reject plans by the Spanish and Italian leagues to stage domestic matches abroad.
The Spanish federation approved Barcelona’s match against Villarreal in Miami this December, while Serie A wants AC Milan to host Como in Perth, Australia, in February. Football Supporters Europe (FSE), representing fan groups from 25 countries, warned that moving games overseas undermines local communities and sporting integrity.
“Clubs are not traveling circuses; they exist for their communities,” FSE said, stressing that overseas matches could trigger “unpredictable and irreversible consequences.” Critics, including the European Commission’s top sports official, also argued the proposals threaten league balance.
The push for foreign fixtures followed FIFA’s withdrawal from a New York court case last year brought by promotions agency Relevent, co-founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. Relevent, whose Hard Rock Stadium will host the Barcelona-Villarreal game, aims to expand club brands globally. UEFA’s executive committee, chaired by Aleksander Ceferin, will review the matter on Sept. 11 in Tirana.