The RFEF gave the green light for the Villarreal – FC Barcelona match to be played in Miami, elevating the request to UEFA and FIFA. However, this decision has generated criticism, first from Real Madrid and the AFE, now from the European Commission.
Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Justice, Youth, Culture and Sport, has conveyed his disagreement with holding the game between the 'yellow submarine' and Barça on North American soil and the AC Milan – Como in Australia, from his X account.
"I am deeply disappointed by the possibility of domestic league matches being played outside of Europe. I express my solidarity with football fans, especially those of Villarreal and Barça in Spain, and those of AC Milan and Como 1907 in Italy"
The European Commission considers that "moving competitions abroad is not innovation, it is betrayal."
Javier Tebas defends the Villarreal-Barça initiative
In response to Micallef's position, Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, has reacted on his social networks in defense of the right of every fan who lives outside of Spain and who wants to see their team in a stadium.
"I understand the concern, but it is convenient to put things in perspective: we are talking about 1 match out of 380. In many countries around the world live thousands of fans, also Europeans, who have the right to see their teams live at least once"
In addition, he compared LaLiga's initiative with other sports, in this case basketball. And he also expressed his repudiation against piracy.
“I am surprised that there is not so much alarm with projects such as the NBA–FIBA European league —which does break the European sports model from the root— or with piracy, which is leading many professional competitions to ruin. Is a single match out of 380 really the big problem?”
What is the next step to approve the Villarreal – Barça?
UEFA and FIFA are in charge of giving the final verdict so that the match of matchday 17 of LaLiga EA Sports 25/26 between Villarreal and Barça is played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
If the two entities approve that the match be held in US territory, it would then go through the LaLiga Assembly. The final decision will be known at the end of September.
However, Tebas said that "we will see if it is a reason to take it to debate", so it would not necessarily be essential.
On the other hand, the CSD is evaluating whether LaLiga has the authority to prevent the initiative; this was stated by José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, president of the Council.