Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid Miami Clash Cancelled
La Liga’s Plans for First Domestic Match in USA Facing Hurdles
La Liga has been making strides towards hosting their first-ever domestic match in the United States, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid set to headline the event. However, La Liga President Javier Tebas has once again encountered obstacles with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Initial Attempt and Green Light
Initially, La Liga had proposed hosting the Girona-Barcelona match in Miami, USA, with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on board with the idea. The match was scheduled to take place at Montjuic on December 22. Tebas was navigating the formalities with an interim committee overseeing the RFEF in the absence of President Pedro Rocha, who had been suspended. The committee had shown a willingness to grant permission for the game to be played abroad.
Official: President Laporta has made direct telephone contact with the mayors of Valencian towns Paiporta, Benetússer, and Catarroja to express his solidarity on behalf of the club and its Foundation and offer direct collaboration and financial support for the reconstruction of…
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) November 4, 2024
RFEF’s Consultation and Withdrawal
According to reports, the RFEF had initiated a consultation with the Ministry of Sport in Spain regarding the match in the USA. However, the RFEF has now opted to withdraw the consultation and has decided against moving forward with the idea. It is mandatory for the RFEF to seek approval from UEFA once the clubs agree to the proposal. Subsequently, they would need approval from CONCACAF, the continental governing body. The RFEF deemed it inappropriate to implement such a significant change to the competition amidst institutional instability.
Tebas’ Persistence and Uncertainty
Tebas has been advocating for this initiative for nearly a decade, believing it to be a crucial step for La Liga in terms of marketing and financial opportunities. The primary reason for the RFEF’s hesitancy stems from the uncertain leadership within the organization. Unless a clear stance against the proposal is articulated by the next RFEF president, it appears inevitable that the idea will eventually come to fruition.
