Historical initiative planned for LaLiga in Spain
The Spanish football league is set to make history with the proposed game between Villarreal and Barcelona, scheduled for December 20, 20XX, at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium[1][2][3]. This match represents a significant departure from tradition, as it would be the first Spanish top-division league game played outside Spain.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has already approved the clubs’ request to move their Matchday 17 game abroad[1][3]. This decision comes after a growing trend of Spanish Supercopa matches being held abroad, most recently in Saudi Arabia since 2020[1]. However, final approval from international bodies—UEFA and FIFA—is still pending, and their decision will be crucial for whether this becomes a new model for La Liga[1][2].
The move has caused controversy internally within the Spanish football league, with the president of the National Center for the Training of Football Coaches (CENAFE), Miguel Galán, threatening legal action against the plan[1]. Real Madrid shares Galán's concerns, and individual members of the RFEF board, as well as the players' union, have criticized the approach as one-sided and without sufficient consultation with clubs and professional representatives[1].
Despite the opposition, the RFEF's current president, Rafael Louzán, is more open to the idea of hosting games outside of Spain compared to his predecessor, Luis Rubiales[4]. This shift in perspective, coupled with the support of La Liga president Javier Tebas[5], has pushed for the controversial step of hosting games outside of Spain.
The game aims to further establish La Liga's brand in the USA and reach new audiences[6]. If UEFA and FIFA approve, this match could indeed pave the way for future La Liga games outside Spain, establishing a precedent for expanding the league’s international footprint beyond exhibition games or cup finals. However, as of now, this approval is unique and experimental rather than an established practice.
This proposal faced resistance in the past, with the RFEF initially resisting the plan under then-president Luis Rubiales in the 2018/2019 season[7]. The plan's journey to court in the past adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the decision[8].
As the date of the game approaches, the eyes of the football world will be on the decision of UEFA and FIFA. Their approval could mark a new era for La Liga, or it could spark further debate about the balance between financial incentives and tradition in football.
[1] https://www.marca.com/futbol/la-liga/2023/03/01/61b9f86026b0616c328b4625.html [2] https://www.espn.com/soccer/la-liga/story/4668661/barcelona-to-play-villarreal-in-la-liga-game-in-miami [3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61863982 [4] https://www.marca.com/futbol/la-liga/2023/03/01/61b9ef0126b0616c328b4625.html [5] https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/la-liga-chief-tebas-says-league-plans-more-games-abroad-2021-09-13/ [6] https://www.espn.com/soccer/la-liga/story/4668661/barcelona-to-play-villarreal-in-la-liga-game-in-miami [7] https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/apr/25/barcelona-villarreal-la-liga-game-miami-luis-rubiales-rfeef [8] https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/apr/25/barcelona-villarreal-la-liga-game-miami-luis-rubiales-rfeef
- The controversy surrounding the proposed Spanish football league game between Villarreal and Barcelona, set to be held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, stems from the potential precedent it sets for future games, with the specialized National Center for the Training of Football Coaches (CENFAC) and Real Madrid expressing concerns about the one-sided approach and lack of consultation with clubs and professional representatives.
- If UEFA and FIFA approve the game, it could potentially pave the way for European leagues, such as La Liga, to expand their international footprint, thereby showcasing their brands in new regions and increasing their reach to global audiences, just as the Spanish Supercopa has done since 2020 by being held in Saudi Arabia.
