Uefa approves games in US, Australia

European football governing body Uefa on Monday said it had "reluctantly" approved the staging of a Spanish La Liga and an Italian Serie A match in the United States and Australia respectively despite fan protests.

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Barcelona players celebrate winning the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.REUTERS

(REUTERS)

"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," Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.

Uefa made its ruling after Spain's La Liga agreed to move a game scheduled for late December between champions Barcelona and Villarreal to Miami, Florida.

Italy's Serie A also decided to stage the encounter between AC Milan and Como on Feb 8 in Perth, Australia, to avoid a clash with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at Milan's San Siro stadium.

But that sparked protests from European supporters' groups who branded the moves "absurd, unaffordable, and environmentally irresponsible".

In its statement, Uefa said that it had "reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country".