Article by Romeo Ene – published Monday, October 6, 2025, 21:43 / Updated Monday, October 6, 2025:43
UEFA gave the green wave to the controversial match dispute Villarreal – Barcelona (stage 17, 21 December) in America, more precisely in Miami, although it reiterated the clear opposition to the organization of parties from the national leagues outside the country of origin.
The European body has approved the request to the League for the duel to play in Miami. In Serie A, the match Como – Milan (stage 16, 21 December), was scheduled at Perth (Australia).
UEFA, unprecedented decision! Villarreal – Barcelona, in America, Como – Milan in Australia
After a meeting of the Executive Committee of the body leading European football, held in Tirana in September, UEFA again consulted the parties involved to evaluate the situation, as a result of the requests received from the Spanish and Italian federations.
The meeting has confirmed the firm opposition already expressed by supporters, clubs, players and European institutions to the idea of moving the matches in Spain and Italy outside the country.
FIFA's regulatory framework is not clear enough, which is why the UEFA Executive Committee approved, with exceptional title, the two requests received.
“The championship matches must be played in Spain, respectively Italy. Any other scenario would deprive the loyal fans, who are constantly coming to the stadium, their rights and could introduce factors that distort the competitions.
Our meeting confirmed the extent of these concerns. I thank the 55 national federations for their constructive and responsible attitude in such a sensitive problem.
Although it is regrettable that we must allow the dispute to dispute on other continents, this decision is exceptional and should not be regarded as a precedent.
Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and to ensure that football remains related to its local community, ”said Aleksander Ceferi, UEFA president, according to Abola.P.
Moving matches abroad has been desired in the last ten years from Liga for commercial reasons. The perspective of relocating the championship matches aroused, at the beginning of September, a strong opposition from the representatives of the supporters.
