LaLiga’s Ambitious Plans for Miami Match
On Wednesday, Javier Tebas, the president of LaLiga, confirmed the league’s ambition to hold the upcoming match between Barcelona and Villarreal on December 20 in Miami, following UEFA’s recent approval to allow games to be played outside Europe. Speaking to ESPN at the World Soccer Summit in Miami, Tebas emphasized that the league would soon file a request with U.S. Soccer and Concacaf for authorization to host the game in the U.S., noting that FIFA would not be involved in this decision.
Historic Match Relocation
Originally scheduled to take place at Villarreal’s home ground, Estadio de la Cerámica, the match is slated to move to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This development is notable as it would mark the first time a match from one of Europe’s top five leagues is played in the U.S., mirroring similar initiatives by North American sports leagues like the NFL and NBA.
Challenges and Opposition
The push to host a game in the States has been in motion since 2017, meeting notable resistance, particularly from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). However, earlier this year, the RFEF finally endorsed a plan to allow a league fixture to be transferred to Miami. UEFA’s approval came just this week, although it expressed its opposition to domestic league matches being played abroad, citing concerns about maintaining the integrity of national competitions. UEFA stated that FIFA’s current regulatory frameworks are unclear, which led to its reluctant acceptance of these international match requests.
Decision Pending
The decision to approve the Barcelona-Villarreal game now rests with U.S. Soccer and Concacaf, who will conduct consultations with significant stakeholders in North American football before reaching a conclusion. The timeline for their decision remains uncertain.
Criticism and Logistical Challenges
Notably, criticism against the relocation initiative persists within Spain. The Players’ Association (AFE) and several LaLiga clubs, including Real Madrid, have voiced their concerns, arguing it disrupts the competitive balance of the league. While they have no immediate power to halt the event, they could take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Moreover, logistical challenges may arise, as the Dolphins are also scheduled to play at the same venue on December 21, a game that falls under popular NFL primetime offerings. Transitioning the stadium between a soccer match and an American football game within such a short window poses logistical complexities, but sources have indicated that such adjustments could be feasible.
