Madrid express displeasure on Barca-Villarreal Miami game as they urge Spanish federation to withdraw request.
Madrid hit out at plan for Barcelona and Villarreal to play La Liga match in Miami.
Real Madrid says they oppose Barcelona’s plans to play a league game in the United States this season, claiming it “sets an unacceptable precedent.”
In order to play in Miami in December, Barcelona and Villarreal are requesting authorisation from the football authorities. Real Madrid has voiced their objection to the measure, and clubs’ fan groups have already warned legal action if the plan moves forward.
“Real Madrid would like to express to its members, supporters and football fans in general its strongest rejection of the proposal to play outside Spain the match … between Villarreal and Barcelona,” the club said in a statement.
“The measure, promoted without prior information or consultation with the clubs participating in that competition, violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity that governs two-round league competitions [one game at home and the other at the opposing team’s], altering the competitive balance and granting an undue sporting advantage to the applicant clubs.
“The integrity of the competition requires that all matches be held under the same conditions for all teams. Unilaterally modifying this regime breaks the equality between contenders, compromises the legitimacy of the results and sets an unacceptable precedent that opens the door to exceptions based on interests other than strictly sporting, with a clear impact on sporting integrity and the risk of adulteration of the competition.
“If this proposal is carried out, its consequences would be so serious that they would mean a before and after for the world of football.”
Real claimed that they had requested Uefa to persuade the Spanish football federation (RFEF) to revoke their request, and that they had asked Fifa not to approve the game’s staging without first obtaining the approval of every La Liga team.
In the past, Villarreal had promised that if the league game was transferred to Miami, season ticket holders would receive free transportation and admission. The team has promised a 20% reduction in the overall price of season tickets for individuals who are unable or do not want to attend.
La Liga will be the first of Europe’s top five leagues to host a game abroad if Villarreal and Barcelona are eventually approved.