Ceferin: Taking league games overseas risks “breaking” football

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin warned that staging domestic league fixtures outside Europe could tear the game away from its roots and risk “breaking” football. His comments came after UEFA gave reluctant approval for two league matches to be played abroad for the first time.

The moves approved by domestic authorities will see Villarreal face Barcelona in Miami in December, and AC Milan travel to Perth, Australia, to play Como in February.

Ceferin repeated Uefa’s opposition while speaking to club officials at the European Football Clubs’ general assembly in Rome, arguing the sport must remain tied to the communities that sustain it.

“Football is not just about balance sheets. It’s not just entertainment. It’s life in our communities, the streets, the clubs and the fans which shape it. If we pull it too far away from those roots we risk breaking it,” Ceferin said.

He framed football as a social anchor in difficult times, a common ground that endures.

“In uncertain times football is our anchor and gives us a common ground, a joy we can share. In good times and in bad, football is always there, reliable lasting – always there. When Europe faces great political, economic and social challenges we need something which holds us together. Football has that power and we must preserve it. I believe it will prosper and inspire. It will do so because we are strong.”

Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot told Le Figaro the idea of moving his side’s match to Perth was excessive, calling the plan “completely crazy” and “really absurd.”

“It’s completely crazy. It’s really absurd,” Rabiot said in the interview.

Uefa says it consulted a wide range of stakeholders and found a general lack of support for exporting competitive domestic fixtures — fans, other leagues, clubs, players and European institutions raised concerns. Yet Uefa concluded it could not block the fixtures because Fifa’s regulatory framework lacks sufficient detail.

FIFA has set up a working group to study the impact of playing competitive domestic matches abroad.

Super League comments and Uefa’s position

Ceferin also reiterated that UEFA would not create or back an exclusive competition for a handful of clubs, restating its stance against any new closed breakaway tournament.

Twelve leading European clubs originally agreed to form a European Super League in 2021. The founding clubs included Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham from England, alongside AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

“Europe sets standards in world football and for that reason we see attacks from outside to reshape the game. Change is part of football story – we know this very well – but lasting value comes only from unity, balance and the strength of everyone, not just a few. Uefa will never and would not organise a competition for 12 clubs only. Uefa wants inclusion; wants that the dream stays alive. We will make sure our club football is inclusive and everyone has a chance to win the best competitions.”

Ceferin’s message was both a defence of tradition and a warning: the game’s structure, he said, should protect the communities, fans and competitive balance that give football its lasting appeal.