UEFA has given the green light for two major football matches to take place thousands of miles from home, despite fierce opposition from fans across Europe.
The governing body has approved Barcelona's La Liga clash with Villarreal to be played in Miami this December, whilst AC Milan will face Como in Perth, Australia, two months later.
It's a decision that's left supporters furious and UEFA itself admitting it only agreed "reluctantly" after finding no clear rules to block the moves.
The controversial call comes after both the Spanish and Italian football associations submitted requests to stage these domestic fixtures abroad.
UEFA has given the green light for Barcelona and AC Milan to play a league match thousands of miles from home, despite fierce opposition from fans across Europe
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UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin didn't mince his words about the decision, calling it "regrettable" and insisting it must not become the norm.
"League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions," Čeferin said.
He stressed that this approval was "exceptional" and "shall not be seen as setting a precedent."
The Hard Rock Stadium is expected to host Barcelona versus Villarreal in December
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"Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment," he added.
Barcelona's match against Villarreal is set for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, with the date expected to shift to December 20 to avoid clashing with the NFL Miami Dolphins' home fixture against Cincinnati Bengals on December 21.
The Milan-Como encounter will take place in Perth in February, partly because Milan will be hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics that month.
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Both matches still need final approval from FIFA before they can officially go ahead.
These would mark the first time La Liga and Serie A matches have been played outside their home countries in official competition.
UEFA's justification centres on what it calls unclear FIFA regulations that left them unable to block the requests.
The organisation says it found no proper framework within FIFA's rules to oppose the moves, despite consulting with all 55 member associations who confirmed widespread lack of support.
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AC Milan are also expected to have their game against Como moved to Australia in February
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UEFA insists it will work with FIFA to tighten up future regulations and prevent more matches being moved abroad.
The governing body emphasised these approvals were granted "on an exceptional basis amid regulatory gaps at global level" and that it remains firmly against the concept of domestic fixtures being relocated overseas.
Fans have taken to social media to slam UEFA's decision, with many accusing the organisation of cowardice.
"Spineless nonsense - you've seen this coming, been ill prepared, and rolled over and let it happen," one supporter wrote on X.
Another warned: "This is how football slowly turns into a global circus. Great for marketing, terrible for the soul of the game."
Season ticket holders are particularly angry about losing home fixtures, with concerns raised about local businesses that depend on matchday trade.
EU sports commissioner Glenn Micallef had earlier branded the proposal "a betrayal" of fans, whilst La Liga president Javier Tebas defended the move, arguing overseas fans deserve to see their teams play live.