European football has descended into its fiercest battle for years, as fans, clubs and politicians rail against Spanish and Italian plans to hold league games in the US and Australia this season.
Italy and Spain’s leagues believe playing the games abroad will boost interest in their competitions and narrow the widening financial gap with the English Premier League, which earns billions from foreign TV deals. English clubs spent €3.5bn on transfers this summer, more than the top four European leagues combined.
Italy’s Serie A has scheduled the February match between AC Milan and Como to be held in Perth, Australia, while Spain’s La Liga wants Barcelona to play Villarreal in Miami in December.