The Villarreal vs. Barca match on 21/12 was slated to be the first La Liga game held outside Spain, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. However, on 11/9, the UEFA Executive Committee postponed its approval of the Royal Spanish Football Federation's proposal for the match. UEFA wants to conduct a consultation round with all stakeholders, including fan representatives, before making a decision.
"There are many issues to resolve, and as the governing body of European football, UEFA has a responsibility to consider all elements," the statement said.
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Barca drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in the third round of La Liga on 31/8. Photo: FCB |
Barca drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in the third round of La Liga on 31/8. Photo: FCB
Serie A also wants to bring the Inter Milan vs. Como match to Perth, Australia, in 2/2026. However, the idea of hosting this game, as well as the Villarreal vs. Barca match, has faced opposition from over 400 fan groups.
"We welcome UEFA's commitment to consultation," Football Supporters Europe (FSE) said. "It shows dedication to protecting the integrity of European football."
La Liga and Serie A are experimenting with hosting matches abroad to boost revenue growth. The English Premier League and Bundesliga have not made similar proposals, reportedly due to concerns about potential backlash.
The US has successfully hosted some NBA games abroad. However, a similar approach for European football is still seen as inappropriate. "European football belongs in our stadiums, cities and communities," an FSE representative added. "It's outrageous to host a domestic match abroad."
Spanish Minister of Sport, Pilar Alegria, also opposes holding La Liga matches abroad. Instead, she wants to attract more international tournaments to the country, building on the success of Spain's joint bid with Portugal and Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup.
"We have magnificent cities, great stadiums and amazing fans. Therefore, I strongly support holding national league games in Spain," Alegria added.
Thanh Quy (according to UEFA)
