September 24 – LaLiga’s plans to play one game per season in the United States has suffered a further setback with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez (pictured) saying his club would never agree to playing a league match overseas.
Last week the Spanish FA (RFEF) said it could not sanction switching Girona’s home game against Barcelona to Miami on Jan 26 until it received more information.
And Perez has now added his voice to the criticism.
“We won’t go to the United States,” he said. “I don’t know whose interest it is in to play there but it is not in the interests of the clubs or the supporters, so we outright reject it.”
Moving the game to Miami needs the approval of the Spanish federation, the United States soccer federation and regional bodies UEFA and CONCACAF.
Real Madrid’s opposition threatens LaLiga’s long-term plans to play one match per season in the U. over the next 15 years, as agreed in a deal the league signed with US entertainment company Relevent last month.
Perez’s comments come a week after Real coach Julen Lopetegui said he opposed the game being taken abroad because “every team (in the league) should play at every ground”.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas, however, was still optimistic his proposal would get the go-ahead, saying on Friday: “The game (in Miami) is still alive, without a doubt.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714169695labto1714169695ofdlr1714169695owedi1714169695sni@w1714169695ahsra1714169695w.wer1714169695dna1714169695