Uefa President Urges European National Associations to Seek Approval for Overseas League Matches
Uefa President Alexander Ceferin has urged European national associations to seek Uefa's approval before allowing "domestic" league matches to be played outside Europe. The controversial proposals from Spain and Italy to play LaLiga and Serie A matches in the US and Australia sparked significant opposition. The issue was debated among senior football executives leading up to the Uefa Executive Committee meeting in Tirana on 11 September.
The requests from the Spanish and Italian federations did not come to a vote at the meeting due to intense discussions. Several federation heads and ExCo members, including Laura McAllister from Wales and Lise Klaveness from Norway, emphasized Uefa's role as a guardian of European football for all continental teams, not just a select few. The input of fan groups like Football Supporters Europe was also highlighted in the discussions.
The European Parliament is set to vote on the role of EU policies in shaping the "European Sport Model" on 6 October, with a focus on preventing domestic competition matches from being played abroad. Uefa preferred not to make a decision before the vote, considering the EU's influence and the protection it offers against projects like the Super League.
The issue reflects the various forces impacting football, including ownership groups seeking global expansion, Fifa's involvement in the club game through the Club World Cup, and increased scrutiny from lawmakers on football governance. Uefa's commercial partnership with Relevent for the 2027 European club cycle adds another layer of complexity, given Relevent's involvement in bringing domestic games to the US.
Ceferin's letter to European member associations on 12 September emphasized the importance of consulting Uefa before approving similar requests to ensure decisions affecting European football are evaluated comprehensively. The decision by LaLiga president Javier Tebas to approve such plans without prior consultation with Uefa was criticized as chaotic, with Tebas defending the necessity of such initiatives against the financial dominance of the Premier League.
In conclusion, the debate over playing "domestic" league matches outside Europe highlights the complex dynamics in modern football, with Uefa seeking to maintain its role as the guardian of European football while navigating the interests of various stakeholders and external influences.