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Fan groups across Europe urge UEFA and FIFA to block plans for Barcelona and Milan games abroad
More than 400 European supporter groups warn that overseas league games threaten local football heritage and sporting integrity, urging UEFA and FIFA to maintain regulations.
- More than 400 European club supporter groups urged FIFA and UEFA on September 3, 2025, to block Spanish and Italian league requests to play domestic matches abroad.
- Supporters from across Europe opposed plans authorized by the Spanish federation to hold the Barcelona versus Villarreal match in Miami this December, as well as Serie A’s proposal to have AC Milan face Como in Perth, Australia, next February.
- Football Supporters Europe , supported by fan groups from 25 countries, stated relocating matches undermines football's community roots and called on regulators to maintain current rules.
- FSE cautioned that relocating Barcelona or AC Milan matches could trigger complex and lasting issues, criticizing such decisions as motivated by short-term financial interests.
- UEFA's ruling committee, chaired by Aleksander Ceferin and meeting in Tirana on September 11, 2025, faces limited legal power to stop these games but must coordinate with FIFA amid ongoing debates over sporting integrity.
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18 Articles
Fan groups across Europe urge UEFA and FIFA to block plans for
NYON: Soccer fans from more than 400 club supporter groups in Europe urged FIFA and UEFA on Wednesday to block requests from the Spanish and Italian leagues to play games abroad. The Spanish football federation has approved plans for Barcelona to play Villarreal in Miami in December, and Serie A wants AC Milan to host Como in February in Perth, Australia.
Soccer-European fan groups slam 'absurd' plans to play league matches abroad
(Reuters) -Supporters' groups from across Europe voiced their opposition to attempts from European leagues to stage domestic matches outside the country, saying on Wednesday that the concept undermines the rules of the competition for short-term financial gain. Read full story
Associated Press News
Fan groups across Europe urge UEFA and FIFA to block plans for Barcelona and Milan games abroad
Soccer fans from more than 400 club supporter groups in Europe are urging FIFA and UEFA to block requests from the Spanish and Italian leagues to play league games abroad.
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