FIFA has made a landmark decision, breaking with decades of football tradition and ushering in a new era of “out-of-territory” matches for domestic leagues. This change, however, raises questions and concerns, especially regarding fan engagement and fairness in football.
Until now, rules have prevented domestic league matches from being played in other countries, but FIFA is now reviewing those restrictions. This opens up the possibility of teams' home games being moved thousands of miles away, a prospect that may not be welcomed by fans.
The United States and Saudi Arabia appear poised to welcome these competitive matches, opening the door to a new era of international soccer. This move could also attract further investment from international owners of European clubs, who see soccer as an increasingly global business opportunity.
FIFA has withdrawn from a lawsuit in New York, filed by promoter Relevent, challenging its previous restrictive policy. Now FIFA is forming an advisory committee to change the rules on “out-of-territory” matches, involving several stakeholders from the world of soccer.
This new policy could lead to a number of changes in the international football landscape. However, FIFA is committed to considering fairness and providing advance notice to fans who may be affected by these changes. FIFA also intends to respect the recognised structure of international football and to minimise disruption to fans, teams and leagues involved.
Article published on May 15, 2024 - 12:14 pm
