FIFA Considering Ban on Domestic Fixtures Being Played Overseas

On February 27th, soccer’s worldwide governing body FIFA held a meeting to discuss the potential of banning domestic league fixtures from taking place in other countries.

For example, if Liverpool wished to play Manchester United in a league fixture in the United States of America as opposed to Anfield.

According to ESPN, Article 73 of the FIFA Statutes is what is being revisited. Article 73 states that domestic matches played outside of the league or club’s own country can only take place under ‘exceptional circumstances’ and under authorisation from ‘member associations, the respective confederation[s] and by FIFA’.

We have seen this happen sporadically in the past, especially in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League competitions. It’s usually a result of fans overstepping their boundaries and believing they’re bigger than the game itself.

This actually happened again very recently during Bayern Munich’s 6-0 away win at Hoffenheim on Saturday. In the second half, a group of travelling Bayern fans held up expletive signs directed at Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp.

Bayern players and coach Hansi Flick ran across the pitch and pleaded for the signs to be taken down. The fans weren’t exactly keen to accommodate their requests.

The game was temporarily stopped in the 77th minute before players eventually returned to the field. In their own protest against the actions of those fans, both sides refused to play for the remaining 13 minutes, instead kicking the ball amongst one another and conversing in the middle of the pitch.

After the final whistle, all players and coaching staff from both teams stood at Hopp’s side in front of the Hoffenheim fans and everyone applauded the German billionaire.

These kinds of incidents aren’t seen every day in the soccer world and we can be thankful for that. But when these incidents do happen, consequences are laid out for both fans and club alike.

Often, future fixtures are played in empty stadiums. A recent example of this was after the farcical scenes that took place in Bulgaria during their national team’s 6-0 loss to the English.

Bulgaria’s next home match against the Czech Republic was played in an empty stadium as punishment, as well as a measly 75,000 euro fine.

The full story on this can be found here:

https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgaria-soccer-racism-fined–empty-stadium/30242707.html

However, domestic games being played outside of the home country are rare if ever.

FIFA has decided to look into this following two attempts from Spanish top flight La Liga to host domestic league fixtures in the United States of America.

La Liga is partnered with Relevant Sports, a soccer events and media business based out of California. In an attempt to promote the game on the Western front, they have requested to have games played there in recent times.

Both attempts didn’t come to fruition and now FIFA is stepping in to ensure that there is no ‘third time lucky’.

From a business perspective, it makes sense as the game would attract a lot more attention, being a fixture played for league points. The best players would be there, giving their all. The stadium would be completely filled out and it would more than likely be a successful venture.

Imagine if it was an ‘El Clasico’ between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Except instead of taking place at the Nou Camp or the Santiago Bernabeu, it was played at AT&T Stadium in Dallas.

Soccer fans across the Americas would flock to see the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema play for league points.

The FIFA committee has recommended that this ban be implemented and now it may just be a matter of time before it’s a reality.

However, whether it’s on or off the field, soccer is a funny game and anything can happen. The decision is expected to be finalised on the 20th of March.

What are your thoughts on the potential ban of domestic fixtures being played overseas? Let us know on social media @Soccersceneau

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Melbourne Victory teams up with Superdry

Melbourne Victory has confirmed a new alliance with Superdry, marking the beginning of an exciting collaboration between the two brands.

As part of the deal, Superdry came on board as the official off-field clothing partner for the club’s friendly match against Wrexham AFC at Marvel Stadium on July 11th, fans at the game were able to enjoy some great giveaways from the brand.

Superdry is a modern, fashion-forward brand celebrated for blending vintage Americana and Japanese-inspired graphics with a distinctive British twist.

Their use of high-quality fabrics, unique washes, intricate hand-drawn artwork, and expertly tailored fits truly sets them apart from the crowd.

This one-of-a-kind style has earned Superdry worldwide popularity and a dedicated, ever-growing celebrity following.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director Caroline Carnegie said the club was thrilled to team up with such a high-quality brand for an event that promised to be a memorable experience for all football fans.

“Our partnership with Superdry for this event is a great opportunity for us to work with a quality brand that is well aligned with our fans and values as a Club,” Carnegie said in a press release.

“I look forward to seeing the team arriving for our match against Wrexham AFC kitted out in the latest range at Marvel Stadium this week.”

To celebrate the collaboration, fans will have the chance to win a 2025/26 membership pack and a $1,000 Superdry voucher, plus the unique opportunity to shop at a Melbourne Superdry store alongside their favourite Victory player – fans should keep an eye on Victory’s social media for all the competition details.

Alastair Davies, General Manager of Licensed Brands at Superdry, said the brand is excited to support Melbourne Victory and connect its British roots with Australia’s sporting culture.

“Superdry is proud to dress Melbourne Victory as they face off against Wrexham AFC,”  Davies said press release.

“As a brand born in the UK, it’s rewarding to see our British heritage connect with Australia’s sporting culture on a global stage.”

This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both Melbourne Victory and Superdry, bringing style and sport closer than ever.

Wellington Phoenix unveil Dynasty Sport as new apparel provider

Wellington Phoenix have confirmed a new partnership with Dynasty Sport, who will become the club’s official apparel provider from the 2025/26 A-Leagues season onwards.

Under the agreement, Dynasty will design and produce apparel for the Phoenix men’s and women’s teams, as well as kit out the club’s eight academy sides from early 2025.

The New Zealand-based brand, launched in 2018, is renowned for supplying high-quality, ethically and sustainably produced sportswear to professional and grassroots organisations across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Dynasty Sport is a leading provider of premium custom sportwear, built on decades of top-tier experience in the global sports industry. With their deep passion for sport, they proudly supply high-performance on and off-field apparel to professional clubs, schools, grassroots teams, athletes, and businesses across New Zealand, Australia, and around the world.

The men’s new home kit for the upcoming A-League Men season has already been completed and will be unveiled on Thursday, 10 July, three months earlier than usual, to coincide with the highly anticipated friendly against Wrexham AFC. Fans can also look forward to two alternate away kits, ensuring the Phoenix can proudly wear their traditional home colours when they play in Wellington or Christchurch.

The women’s home kit and two alternate away strips are set to be revealed in September, ahead of the A-League Women campaign. In addition, Dynasty will release a lifestyle range for Phoenix supporters later this year, providing a wider selection of merchandise for fans.

This deal sees Wellington Phoenix join a growing list of clubs and organisations working with Dynasty Sport, whose focus on sustainable manufacturing and innovative designs aligns with the Phoenix’s values on and off the pitch.

Phoenix general manager David Dome spoke positively about the new agreement.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Dynasty Sport as our new apparel partner,” Dome said via club statement.

“Not only does their apparel look amazing and feel great to wear, but they have blown us away by how much they’re committed to helping the Phoenix succeed.

“We’re excited to work with Tyler and the Dynasty team over the next three years, creating designs and a range that truly resonate with our fans and reflect the spirit of our club.”

Dynasty Sport co-founder and director Tyler Rakich spoke about the importance of the company extending to the professional football space.

“This marks another significant step in our expansion into the pro football space,” Rakich said in a press release.

“We’re very excited to launch the new custom range for players, staff and fans, from the elite level performance kit to the fan apparel and fresh new lifestyle range.

“We are confident there is something for every fan regardless of colour preference and style and we are excited to launch the full range in September this year!”

The deal provides Wellington Phoenix with a modern, sustainable apparel solution while strengthening their commercial footprint and giving fans exciting new ways to show their support.

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