Spanish Soccer’s Plan To Take Barcelona Game To Miami Falls Apart
MADRID (AP) — Barcelona’s plans to play a regular-season match against Villarreal outside Miami in December have been canceled, the Spanish soccer league said Tuesday, a decision that came after growing opposition to the game domestically.
The league stated that the decision was taken after discussions with the organizer of the match planned to be held on December 20, citing the “uncertainty that has emerged in Spain over the last few weeks”.
Game organizer Relevent said it had informed La Liga that “the planned match had to be postponed” because “there is not enough time to properly carry out an event of this scale”. He added that it would be irresponsible to start selling tickets without a confirmed match.
There was a league we finally made it It is in the process of receiving approval from football institutions such as UEFA and the Spanish federation to play its first regular season match abroad.
However, opposition from players, some clubs and fans has increased in Spain recently.
The Spanish league “deeply regrets that this project, which represents a historic and unique opportunity for the international expansion of Spanish football, will not be able to proceed.”
“Organizing an official match outside our borders would be a decisive step in the global growth of the competition, strengthening the international presence of clubs, the positioning of players and the visibility of Spanish football in a strategic market like the USA,” the league said.
It was stated that “the project fully complies with all federative regulations and does not affect the integrity of the competition, as confirmed by the competent bodies responsible for ensuring compliance, which oppose it for other reasons.”
However, criticism of the game has increased recently; Players protested during league matches over the weekend. stand still A few seconds after kick-off.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois criticized Spanish league president Javier Tebas complained about the league’s decision to censor players’ protests. Television coverage of the games switched to outside views of the stadiums before kick-off, showing only parts of the pitches from a distance.
Madrid were one of the clubs to protest the game loudest, saying it would change the fairness of the competition. Villarreal was officially the home team in the match to be played at Hard Rock Stadium.
“Teams should play at home and away,” Courtois said. “Playing against a team at home is not the same as playing away. It is difficult to play away in the Spanish league. It is very difficult to play away at Villarreal’s home ground. Every team has to play both home and away unless there is an important reason for this not to happen.”
Barcelona and Villarreal agreed that football should be played abroad. Villarreal fans will be able to travel to the match for free, while those who choose not to attend will receive a huge discount on their season tickets.
Barcelona said it respected the decision but regretted “the missed opportunity to broaden the image of the competition in a strategic market with the capacity to grow and generate resources for the benefit of all.”
Barcelona said in a statement: “The club appreciates the support and unconditional love it has received from our fans in the United States and deeply regrets that they cannot attend the official match in the country.” he said.
La Liga said the match was important for the league “in an increasingly competitive global environment where leagues such as the Premier League or competitions such as the UEFA Champions League continue to expand their reach and ability to generate revenue.”
“Initiatives like this are necessary to ensure the sustainability and growth of Spanish football,” the league said. “The rejection of such opportunities prevents the generation of new revenue, limits the capacity of clubs to invest and compete, and reduces the international projection of the entire Spanish football ecosystem.”
The league said it would “continue to work, as always, to bring Spanish football to every corner of the world, promoting a clear, modern and competitive vision that benefits clubs, players and fans.”
La Liga has a long-term partnership with sports and entertainment group Relevent Sports, which is part of Stephen Ross’ portfolio which also includes the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Dolphins, Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open tennis tournament.
Plans for La Liga match in Miami renewed FIFA withdrew from the case He was brought to the Manhattan court by Relevent. Weeks later, FIFA announces it will review its rules We created a working group that also included UEFA lawyers.
