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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Paul MacInnes

DARK SECRETS: Fifa begin process to allow league matches to be played overseas | Vintage Vibes

Fulham's Willian prepares to take a corner during the Premier League Summer Series in July 2023, at FedExField near Washington DC
Fulham’s Willian at FedExField near Washington. The Premier League Summer Series started in the US last year, with six teams playing three games each. Photograph: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty

Fifa has taken a step towards allowing domestic leagues to play competitive matches abroad after announcing a new working group would be formed to “issue recommendations” on the topic. The group was confirmed after a meeting of the Fifa council in Bangkok on Wednesday and could lead imminently to a seismic change in the traditional structures of the men’s club game. La Liga has already said it hopes to play league matches abroad by 2025.

Fifa said the working group will be made up of 10 to 15 individuals with experience from across the game, including clubs, leagues and supporter associations. The governing body said the group will be independent but that its work must take into account a series of principles, several of which assume a positive decision to stage matches internationally.

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