Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford joined Barcelona on loan for the remainder of the season in the summer transfer window and scored his third goal for the club this weekend
Marcus Rashford pictured during Barcelona’s defeat to PSG in the Champions League(Image: Getty Images)
UEFA have confirmed they have reluctantly agreed to La Liga’s request to play Barcelona’s match with Villarreal in the United States.
The controversial fixture, which is due to take place in December, is set to be hosted in Miami while the Serie A clash between AC Milan and Como shall be allowed to take place in Perth, Australia in February. The European football governing body admitted in a statement that they did not wish to see domestic league matches played abroad.
However, they conceded that the current framework – which is under review – gave little scope for UEFA to block the request from the Spanish and Italian governing bodies. Of course, this means that Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford could be set to make the trip to the USA should the fixture be confirmed as taking place overseas.
Reacting to the approval, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: “League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions. Our consultation confirmed the breadth of these concerns.
“I would like to thank the 55 national associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such a sensitive issue. While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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£49
£35
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
“Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.” While pre-season tours to the United States and Asia have become par for the course in modern day football, domestic fixtures outside of their respective nations have not been agreed until now.
Despite La Liga and Serie A’s arranged international fixtures, Premier League chief Richard Masters admitted in August that it was not something currently on the agenda in England. “I don’t think it changes the Premier League’s view on this at all, we don’t have any plans to play matches abroad,” Masters said.
“It’s not anywhere near my in-tray and it’s not a debate around our table.” Other sports have embraced playing domestic fixtures outside of their host nations with the NFL having played matches regularly overseas since 2007.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
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