September 19 – Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu (pictured) says he is fully behind the much-publicised LaLiga regular season game scheduled for Miami in January, provided all parties can reach an agreement.
Earlier this week FIFA president Gianni Infantino stepped into the row over scheduling a top-flight match in the United States by saying home games should “not be played in a foreign country.”
La Liga has officially requested the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to allow them to relocate Girona’s game against Barca to the US in a landmark ruling that could have a widespread knock-on effect throughout Europe.
But Bartomeu, in a radio interview in Spain, said it was a natural progression.
“I like it, we have an obligation to promote the Liga, it is the best in the world and we have to approach new sources,” he said.
“We compete with the Premier League. We have to get closer and this would help. It is about promoting the league and the Barça brand in a market that is growing a lot.”
“This idea can mean a huge increase in revenue. It is a very interesting project.”
The Barça president also denied that Girona-Barça, if it ends up taking place in Miami, could be used politically, as is being suggested by some Spanish media. “It is obvious that there is politics in the sport, but in this particular case I do not see the link. We will only think about the three points that will be at stake. ”
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