UEFA announced on Monday that, exceptionally, it has approved the request of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for the Villarreal vs. Barcelona, ??from the seventeenth round of LaLiga, will be played in Miami "due to regulatory gaps worldwide."

The organization reiterated its rejection of domestic league matches being played in another country, but explained that it has taken this decision because the FIFA regulatory framework – currently under review – "is not sufficiently clear and detailed," and noted that its position should not be considered a precedent.

In addition to the request made by the RFEF, UEFA also accepted Italy's request that AC Milan vs. Como be played in the city of Perth, Australia, since the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games will be held on the weekend of February 7 and 8, 2026, when the match is scheduled to be played. Cortina at Milan's stadium.

In a statement, UEFA expressed its “clear opposition” to domestic league matches being played abroad and recalled that, following its Executive Committee meeting in Tirana last month, it had conducted further consultations with stakeholders to assess the full extent of the implications of the issue, following requests it received from the Spanish and Italian associations.

“That consultation confirmed the general lack of support that had already been raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions around the concept of domestic league matches being relocated abroad,” it added.

However, “given that the relevant FIFA regulatory framework – currently under review – is not sufficiently clear and detailed, the UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests submitted to it,” it added.

UEFA assured that it “will actively contribute to the work FIFA is carrying out to ensure that future regulations uphold the integrity of domestic competitions and the close connection between clubs, their fans and local communities.”

It also noted that all of its national associations have confirmed their commitment to consult with UEFA before submitting any future requests regarding similar cases. “In doing so, they expressed their collective determination to safeguard the broader interests of European football,” he stressed.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin made clear his stance on not allowing these local matches to cross borders: “This decision is exceptional and should not be considered a precedent.”

“While it is regrettable to have to allow these two matches to be played (in another country), this decision is exceptional and should not be considered a precedent. Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of domestic leagues and ensure that football remains rooted in its local environment,” he stated.

In his opinion, league matches should be played at home. “Anything else would deprive the loyal fans who attend matches of their rights and could introduce distorting elements into the competitions. Our consultation confirmed the magnitude of these concerns. I would like to thank the 55 national associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such a sensitive issue,” he stressed.

The relocation of a LaLiga match to Miami, an issue that five years ago was the subject of legal dispute between LaLiga and the RFEF and which was approved by the RFEF board at the request of both clubs, has been opposed by the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) and also by Real Madrid, which asked UEFA and FIFA not to authorize it.

The white club considers that the initiative was “promoted without prior information or consultation with the clubs” that make up LaLiga and that it “violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity that governs double-round league competitions (one match at home and the other at the opposing team’s), altering the competitive balance and granting an undue sporting advantage to the requesting clubs."

The AFE, with the support of the First Division captains with whom it met on August 21, also opposed the transfer, which it considers a "lack of respect for the footballers" due to the "absence of dialogue and information" and also the European football fans' associations (Football Supporters Europe), including the Spanish FASFE, reject the change of venue for league matches to other countries.

A year ago, FIFA decided to introduce changes to the International Match Regulations regarding the authorization of matches outside the territory of the corresponding federation, taking into account possible consequences for the balance of competition, including the interests of the other teams in the competition.

Now FIFA itself has the final say. If it gives its final approval, the match can be played in the United States; if it reverses itself after learning the position of clubs like Real Madrid and UEFA itself, which clearly disagrees with the match, the venue would have to be the Estadio de la Ceramica, in Villarreal.

*With information from EFE.