FIFA boss calls overseas European games 'a big risk'

Villarreal and Barcelona are poised to play in Miami in December, while AC Milan and Como have a match lined up in Perth, Australia, in February. 

But Infantino, speaking to reporters at the European Football Clubs (EFC) General Assembly in Rome, said: "We have a structure whereby we have games at national level, at continental level, and then at global level. 

"And this is a structure that made football the number one sport in the world. 

"If we want to break this structure, we take a big risk. 

"If we want to regulate it, then we have to look into it. I have my personal opinion, which I will not share with you right now, but I've seen that UEFA has approved it. 

"It has to go to CONCACAF as well to approve this LaLiga game in Miami. I don't know if AFC has approved the game in Australia, all the stakeholders, and then it will come to FIFA for its approval. 

"But that's one game - I think we need a reflection which is more global on what do we want to do? 

"Do we want everyone to play everywhere and do whatever he wants? It's fine. FIFA is pretty strong in this respect. 

"Or do we want to have a regulated system which takes into account the interests of everyone at national level, continental level and club level, but also the legitimacy of everyone to organise events and to regulate the sport in their own country or continent?" 

Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen said his club had no desire to follow the lead of the four teams set to play overseas. 

Dreesen, who is also the vice-chair of the EFC's executive board, said: "I do have a clear idea where to play our obliged league matches, and this is at home, because we play for the fans. 

"We play for the fans abroad, but we play also for the fans at home. And so I think it's a good idea to play league matches at home and not abroad. 

"Yes we want to expand, but we can expand with these big new international club competitions - I think this should be our ideal."