Barcelona 'doused with cold water' by FIFA

FIFA is unlikely to allow La Liga's Barcelona-Villarreal and Serie A's AC Milan-Como to be moved to the US and Australia respectively.

Barcelona may not be able to play La Liga outside of Spain.

According to Goal , FIFA is drafting a new set of regulations with the aim of applying from the beginning of next year, aiming to limit or completely ban the phenomenon of domestic tournaments taking place outside the border. The decision comes from UEFA's approval for La Liga and Serie A to compete abroad, albeit "very reluctantly".

UEFA explained: "Due to the current lack of clarity and detail in the FIFA legal framework, the UEFA Executive Board was forced to approve these two matches on an exceptional basis. UEFA reiterates its stance against the organisation of domestic matches outside the home territory."

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stressed: "Domestic matches should be held at home. Playing abroad would deprive loyal fans of their rights and could create distorting factors. This decision is exceptional and will not become the norm."

Taking the league abroad brings in huge international revenue. Big clubs use overseas matches and pre-season tours to expand their international fan base. The Premier League, for example, earns more from international rights than La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 combined, with £5.3 billion for 2022-2025, broadcast in 188 countries.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters said: "The broadcasting market and the way football is viewed is changing. But I believe the Premier League will continue to maintain its global status and the unique tradition of English football in the next decade."

Source: https://znews.vn/barcelona-bi-fifa-doi-gao-nuoc-lanh-post1592905.html