Audio By Carbonatix
Football's world governing body Fifa is to set to establish a working group to look at the impact of playing competitive domestic matches overseas.
A legal settlement agreed between Fifa and match promoter Relevant Sports in the USA has, in the words of Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, "left the door ajar" for league games to be played in different countries.
Whilst the Premier League say they have no plans to do so, despite being the instigators of the infamous ‘39th game’ idea during Richard Scudamore’s time at the helm, La Liga are already planning overseas games for the 2025-26 campaign.
La Liga have revived their plans to play league fixtures overseas after cancelling Barcelona's league match against Girona in 2019, which was due to be held in Miami.
Fifa had previously been opposed to the idea, feeling it had the potential to take valuable finance away from domestic clubs.
But the matter was discussed at its Council meeting in Bangkok on Wednesday, when it was agreed to set up a working group to ‘gather further information and issue recommendations’ and to also look at the impact on host countries.
Before making any decision, Fifa want to address issues such as the amount of notice over the scheduling of matches, the impact on the balance of sporting competition and the effect on the development of football in the host countries.
The Council said any proposal must take various factors into account, including "whether adequate provision has been made for fans of the teams playing a proposed out-of-territory match to attend the match in the host country".
Relevant Sports had driven the idea of overseas matches being played in the United States, having launched the pre-season International Champions Cup. They also tried to host an Ecuador League game in the United States in 2019, but that was blocked by Fifa.
Last summer they promoted the six-team Premier League summer series that featured Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Fulham and Brentford.
Latest Stories
-
Creative Canvas 2025: Documenting Ghana’s creative year beyond the noise
4 hours -
Alhassan Suhuyini makes Christmas donations to churches within Tamale North Constituency
8 hours -
Meet 81-year-old father of UCC Acting Vice-Chancellor, who recently graduated with an MBA
8 hours -
Did you know that Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, is the ‘Ken Ofori-Atta of Afghanistan? – Kay Codjoe writes
8 hours -
Kidnap suspect arrested in Tamale as Police rescue victim after four days
8 hours -
Tema Oil Refinery resumes crude refining after years of shutdown
8 hours -
Kojo Antwi thrills fans with regal entry, marathon performance at ‘Antwified’ concert
9 hours -
Ofori Amponsah surprises KiDi at ‘Likor On The Beach’ 2025
9 hours -
Joy FM thanks sponsors, partners and patrons after spectacular 2025 Family Party-in-the-Park
9 hours -
‘Christmas babies’ and their mothers in Volta and Oti regions receive MTN hampers
10 hours -
One dead, another injured after accident at Atwedie
10 hours -
Maggi Waakye Summit draws thousands as Ghana’s biggest waakye festival returns
11 hours -
Western Regional Minister urges Ghanaians to use Christmas to deepen national cohesion  Â
11 hours -
Thousands turn Aburi Gardens into a festive paradise at Joy FM’s Party in the Park
11 hours -
Source of GOLDBOD’s trading funds questioned amid reported $214m loss
12 hours
