La Liga, Spain’s premier domestic football competition, is set to make history with a match outside the country. Barcelona had proposed playing their league fixture against Villarreal in Miami, USA, and after a request from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), UEFA has granted permission for the game to be held there.
In a statement released on Monday, UEFA confirmed that the decision was made reluctantly under exceptional circumstances, citing that FIFA’s current framework on hosting domestic matches abroad lacks clarity and detail. UEFA reiterated that, in principle, it opposes domestic league matches being held outside the host country, but approved this case as a rare exception.
A similar ruling has been made for AC Milan’s Serie A match against Como, which is planned to take place in Perth, Australia. UEFA stated that it consulted with all relevant stakeholders including clubs, leagues, and fans before reaching its decision.
La Liga, Spain’s premier domestic football
The move, however, has sparked widespread criticism from supporters’ groups across Europe, who argue that domestic competitions should remain within national borders. The matches will still require final approval from FIFA before proceeding.
The La Liga (RFEF) had already authorized Barcelona’s Miami match for December, though Real Madrid swiftly released a statement opposing the plan. Meanwhile, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) approved Milan’s proposal in July, noting that their San Siro fixture would have conflicted with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, necessitating the venue change.
If approved by FIFA, these games would mark a new chapter in football history the first official league matches played outside their respective home countries.