Champions League matches in U.S. 'possible' - UEFA president

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin once again said he is open to a discussion about playing significant Champions League games in the United States.

In an exclusive interview with «Men in Blazers,» Ceferin told Roger Bennett that he would not rule out holding a part of the most-watched annual football event in the world outside of Europe.

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«It is possible [Champions League in U.S.],» Ceferin said. «We started to discuss about that, but then one year it is World Cup, 2024 is Euro, this year is Istanbul, '24 in London, '25 in Munich. And after that let's see. It's possible, it's possible.»

In 2016, Ceferin first floated the idea of potential European club in-season matches in the United States.

ESPN's Gab Marcotti said the topic was discussed again last fall at UEFA ExCo meetings in Croatia and later at the European Club Association meetings in Istanbul.

Ceferin, however, told reporters back in September that no discussions about playing Champions League matches outside of Europe had been held.

«I would be aware if there was any discussion about the playing of Champions [League] matches outside of Europe and I don't know anything with respect to that,» he told Europa Press.

This week, Ceferin told Bennett he understood the financial value of the U.S. sports market.

«Football is extremely popular in United States these days,» he added. «Americans are willing to pay this amount [gestures high with hand] for best and nothing for the less. So they will follow European football as basketball lovers in Europe follow NBA.

»It's a very important promising market for the future. The thing is that we are selling rights very well. Sponsorship is so-so for now from the U.S.,