MADRID: Real Madrid today denounced plans to stage a La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, warning the proposal could undermine football’s competitive balance and vowing to petition global governing bodies to block the move.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) yesterday approved the Dec 20 fixture at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which could become the first La Liga match held abroad and the first European league fixture staged in the US.
“Real Madrid wish 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.