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fifa chairman gianni infantino has said football is taking a “big risk” by allowing domestic league matches to be played abroad uefaThe controversial decision on the matter continues.
UEFA has “reluctantly” agreed To league and Serie A are both playing league games abroad AC Milan set to play As A game is scheduled for next February in Perth, Australia, between Villarreal and barcelona This December in Miami.
FIFA approval is required for players including Adrien Rabiot and frankie de jong – Both will be expected to participate in criticizing the move. uefa president alexander safer is also objected to the conceptDespite the governing body allowing two games “on an exceptional basis”.
Infantino has also suggested that he does not agree with the concept, although whether this would prevent FIFA from approving the move is a different story entirely.
He told reporters at the general assembly of European football clubs in Rome this week: “We have a structure whereby we have games at national level, at continental level and then at global level.
“And this is the structure that has made football the number one sport in the world. If we want to break this structure, we take a huge risk.”
“If we want to regulate it, you know, we have to look into it. I have my own personal opinion, which I will not share with you right now, but I have seen that UEFA has approved it.
“It will also have to go to CONCACAF to approve it [the La Liga game in Miami]I don’t know if the AFC has cleared all stakeholders in the game in Australia, and then it will come to FIFA for its approval.
“But it’s a game – I think we need a reflection that’s more global about what do we want to do?
“Do we want everyone to play everywhere and do whatever they want? That’s fine. FIFA is very strong in this matter.
“Or do we want a regulated system that takes into account everyone’s interests at national level, continental level and club level, but also gives everyone the legitimacy to organize events and regulate the sport in their own country (or continent)?”
Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Driessen joined those opposing the idea of home games being played abroad.
He said: “I have a clear idea where to play our bound league matches, and it is at home, because we play for the fans.
“We play for the fans abroad, but we also play for the home fans. And so I think it is a good idea to play the league matches not abroad but at home.
“Yes, we want to expand, but we can expand with these big new international club competitions – I think that should be our ideal.”
Infantino also appealed for calm ahead of Italy’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel, which is set to be held in Udine amid a backdrop of massive protests across Italy.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the national team’s training center in Florence last week demanding that the event be canceled as a result of Israel’s war on Gaza.
Infantino told reporters this week, referring to the peace deal between Israel and Hamas: “Now everyone should be happy with (the peace plan) and everyone should support the process.
“Of course it goes beyond football – but it also includes football.”