Overseas La Liga games good for Spanish Football, says Spanish Football Chief Rafael Louzan on move to USA.
Overseas La Liga game ‘good for football’ says Spain football chief.
“Good for football” is how Rafael Louzan, president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), describes La Liga’s decision to shift the December match between Villarreal and Barcelona to Miami.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica, but the RFEF approved plans in August for it to be played on December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium instead.
Real Madrid voiced their disapproval, saying the repercussions would be “so serious” and create a “before and after” for the football industry.
After the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) approved a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como to be played in Perth, Australia in February, the Miami matchup was confirmed.
“It’s a reward for those fans who are behind the screen, also in Asia or America, who are paying a fee to watch all the Spanish La Liga matches. It’s a gesture to them,” Louzan said.
“It’s good for football and it promotes the Spanish La Liga around the world. Italy is also going to do it with Serie A in Australia. It’s a good move for the best league in the world to do it.”
European football’s governing body Uefa was in “clear opposition” to the plans but “reluctantly” gave approval because there was no legal framework to stop it.
Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, said when the fixture was announced: “A competitive game in a city like Miami, with a large FC Barcelona following, will definitely be a great show.”