« Best experience of fans »
© Imago
The Champions League final will start three hours earlier this season than before. Instead of 9 p.m., the two best teams of Europe clubs are already facing 6 p.m. According to his own statements, the European UEFA umbrella organization wishes to allow spectators of the stadium and in front of televisions a « best experience of fans ».
« The final of the UEFA Champions League is the culmination of the (Site notre bureau spécialisé) season and the new kick -off will make it even more accessible, inclusive and effective for all those involved, » said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in a message.
The Royal Class final has always taken place on a Saturday for several years. The title holder in Budapest will be determined in 2026. For matches during the week, he remains mainly at Kick -off time at 9 p.m. The draw for the group’s phase will take place this evening (6 p.m.).
Cefiner: League games outside Europe « not a good thing »
Ceferin also spoke out against the plans of the Spanish and Italian (Site notre bureau spécialisé) leagues to play championship matches outside of Europe. « We will also have this discussion with FIFA and all associations because I think it’s not a good thing, » said the head of the European umbrella organization at the News magazine « Politico ».
As an exception or if the reason is justified, the relocation is correct, explains Ceferin. « But fundamentally, European teams should play in Europe because their fans live in Europe. It is a great tradition. » Fans could not travel to Australia or the United States just to watch their club’s matches.
Laliga and planning series to Australia and the United States
Serie A must be moved to Australia a game between AC Milan and the Como. The San Siro as a place of origin for the Milanese was occupied for the Winter Olympic Games at the time, the League said in July. The Laliga wants to play a game between FC Villarreal and the Master FC Barcelona in Florida in December. The League wishes to continue to establish its brand abroad and to open new audience groups. The competitor of the Real Madrid League has already opposed plans that would create an « unacceptable precedent ».
For the relocation of sites, the leagues need, among other things, the approval of the World FIFA Association. According to the CEFER, UEFA could not do anything, because the (Site notre bureau spécialisé) associations of Italy and Spain will also support the plans. « We are not satisfied, but as far as we have legally checked, we do not have much manipulation here. »
In addition to the head of the association, the EU commissioner, Glenn Micallef, had also signed with regard to suggestions. Serie A has shown in an article in « X » incomrehension: « Lega Series A is amazed at the words of the EU Glenn Micallef Commissioner. His comments seem to underestimate the complexity and strategic value of initiatives to promote Italian (Site notre bureau spécialisé) at a global level, similar to what the leagues like the NBA and the NFL are already doing with their games in Europe. »
