FIFA announced on Wednesday its intention to review its longstanding policy prohibiting domestic league matches from being played in other countries, marking a potential departure from traditional soccer norms.
While this move may stir objections from fans accustomed to attending home matches, it mirrors the practice common in United States professional sports leagues, which frequently host games abroad to expand their global reach and fan bases.
Gary Lineker, former England and Barcelona striker, voiced immediate opposition to the plan, stating, “No. No. No,” on social media.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have emerged as potential hosts for these matches, with FIFA recently agreeing to withdraw from a New York court case filed by promoter Relevent challenging the prohibition on organizing competitive league games outside their territories.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, refraining from questions or a news conference in Bangkok where the council convened, announced the establishment of a working group to review “out-of-territory” games.
To date, soccer authorities in Italy, Spain, and France have ventured abroad for ceremonial events like the domestic Super Cup, held between the previous season’s league and cup titleholders.
The potential policy shift is expected to appeal to the growing number of international club owners, particularly from the United States, investing in top European leagues like the Premier League, Serie A, and Ligue 1, as well as state-backed teams such as Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Newcastle United.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters clarified last month that out-of-territory games were not part of their current plans, despite the ongoing Relevent lawsuit.
FIFA plans to form a panel comprising 10-15 representatives from soccer stakeholders to advise on amending rules regarding out-of-territory matches within the next few months.
The existing rules, last revised in 2014, mandate consent from the FIFA member federation and confederation hosting the matches, as well as from the member federation of the participating teams.
Previous attempts to hold European league games abroad, such as the proposed Barcelona match in Miami in 2019, were thwarted as U.S. promoters sought to elevate the caliber of events beyond preseason exhibitions.
Infantino, who opposed the Spanish league’s international aspirations in 2018, has now tasked the working group, yet to be appointed, with considering factors like fairness and providing advance notice to potentially affected fans.
Other considerations include maintaining respect for the established structure of international football and minimizing disruption to fans, teams, and leagues in the host countries.
England and Germany, known for their vocal and influential fan bases, played a pivotal role in thwarting the Super League project in April 2021, which was championed by clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus, with support from American-owned clubs Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
Additionally, Spanish Super Cup games held in Saudi Arabia are currently under investigation.
