Uefa backs off overseas league fixtures but the struggle for power goes on | Paul MacInnes

Here is a 193-word summary of the article: UEFA has decided to begin a consultation process on the issue of overseas league fixtures, rather than making a definitive decision as many had anticipated. This is likely a prudent move, as the debate around leagues playing matches outside their home countries has been simmering for a few years but is only now being thoroughly addressed by football's governing bodies. The article notes that the first legal challenge on this issue came in 2019, when a promoter sued the US Soccer Federation. But it was the prospect of La Liga staging a fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami that really brought the matter to the forefront. By opting for consultation, rather than an immediate ruling, UEFA is breaking from the typical top-down approach to decision-making in global football. Involving supporters in the process is also a departure from the norm. While the ultimate outcome remains uncertain, this pause for discussion is seen as a positive step, allowing more voices to be heard on a complex issue that will shape the future of domestic and international club competitions.