By Nick Ames and Matt Hughes
Domestic leagues would be limited to staging one game a season in foreign countries under FIFA proposals that significantly raise the bar for controversial “international matches” to be approved.
A new protocol, developed by a FIFA working group set up almost two years ago, would bring in clearer regulations to police the divisive issue and introduce strict limits.
In addition to each league being permitted to relocate one top-division game, it is understood host countries would be allowed to stage a maximum of five matches affiliated to another league each season.
La Liga and Serie A had scheduled league games for Miami and Perth respectively this season, sparking a political row involving FIFA and UEFA, but the fixtures – Villarreal v Barcelona and Milan v Como – were scrapped after objections raised by local authorities.
La Liga’s American promoter, Relevent Sports, also got cold feet. The episodes caused considerable bad blood between many parties involved.
Under the new protocol, any request to switch a competitive game to a foreign territory would be considered only if it had approval from all major stakeholders, and FIFA would have a right of veto.
Any request would have to be accepted by the national association of the clubs involved, their confederation, the football association of the country planning to host the game and its confederation, before being passed to FIFA.
Under this model, the domestic league would not be consulted in the event that the clubs pushed against its wishes for a game abroad. England’s FA would not sanction a switch against the Premier League’s wishes but such alignment is not necessarily the case in every country and could lead to tension.
Sources indicate FIFA may block requests if it has concerns over player welfare relating to workload and excessive travel.
The proposals include a demand for guarantees that revenue from domestic matches held abroad would be redistributed throughout the sport, and evidence that the host country’s league would not be adversely affected.
Proof that plans and, if necessary, compensation were in place for the clubs’ supporters to attend the games would also be sought.
Under the existing regulations, drafted in 2014, FIFA can block what its rulebook calls an “international match” only if the correct processes are not followed.
No date has been scheduled for the working group’s next meeting, where it is expected to consider stakeholder feedback, but there is an ambition at FIFA to have the protocol in place for next season.
FIFA declined to comment, with a source describing the situation as ongoing.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Barcelona players during a game.
