Real Madrid Opposes LaLiga’s Miami Match, Calls On UEFA And FIFA To Intervene

‎Real Madrid on Tuesday condemned plans to hold a La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami.

‎They warned the proposal could damage football’s competitive balance and said they will petition global governing bodies to halt the move.

‎The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) approved the December 20 fixture at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. It could mark the first La Liga match held abroad and the first European league fixture staged in the United States.

‎”Real Madrid wishes to express to its members, supporters and football fans in general its firm rejection of the proposal,” the club said in a statement, revealing they have already urged FIFA, UEFA, and Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD) to intervene.

‎The club accused the RFEF of making its decision “without informing or consulting the clubs participating in the competition” and argued that staging the match in Miami “violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity” in home-and-away league formats.

‎Real further stated that the move would “alter the competitive balance” and grant “an unfair sporting advantage” to the clubs involved.

‎The club also warned that approving the proposal could compromise sporting integrity and “set an unacceptable precedent,” insisting any change of this nature should require “the express and unanimous agreement of all the clubs participating in the competition”.

‎The plan still needs approval from UEFA, US Soccer, CONCACAF, and ultimately FIFA before La Liga President Javier Tebas can realise his long-held aim of bringing Spanish football to the United States.