Gianni Infantino was voted Fifa president in 2016
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.
While 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.
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
Phil McNulty's end-of-season Premier League report
Archer will bring 'fear factor' on England return
Schauffele wins first major at US PGA Championship
A violent criminal conflict turns personal
A dark, fresh take on Ian Rankin's iconic character, starring Richard Rankin
'I felt like we became some sort of an ambassador'
The story of a heavy metal band in Iraq during the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein
Can Chris stay on the straight and narrow?
Watch the new series of the gripping crime drama The Responder, starring Martin Freeman
A life coaching company that has shattered lives
Journalist Catrin Nye exposes control, intimidation and fear within a mysterious organisation
End-of-season Premier League awards – vote now
All you need to know about the Paralympics with 100 days to go
Who is the best Premier League manager ever?
How does French Open affect Olympic qualification?
Guardiola turns Man City into PL's great untouchables


Anfield awash with emotion as Klopp says farewell

'All-round mastermind Usyk reaches boxing's summit'
WSL title perfect end to Hayes' unique story
Usyk's epic victory over Fury in 10 pictures
Five goals, Hart's farewell & Santa – how Celtic's trophy day unfolded
How well do you remember this season's Premier League?
Black, white and shades of grey – what's behind sprint's race divide?
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

source

Post Views: 26