Real Madrid Hit Out At Plan To Play Match Between Villarreal And Barcelona In Miami

Real Madrid opportunity they are opposed to plans by their bitter rivals Barcelona to play a convention lucifer successful nan United States this season, saying nan move “sets an unacceptable precedent”.

Barcelona and Villarreal are seeking support from nan shot authorities to play successful Miami successful December. Fan groups of nan clubs person already threatened ineligible action if nan scheme progresses, and now Real person expressed their guidance to nan move.

“Real Madrid would for illustration to definitive to its members, supporters and shot fans successful wide its strongest rejection of nan connection to play extracurricular Spain nan lucifer … betwixt Villarreal and Barcelona,” nan nine said successful a statement.

“The measure, promoted without anterior accusation aliases consultation pinch nan clubs participating successful that competition, violates nan basal rule of territorial reciprocity that governs two-round convention competitions [one crippled astatine location and nan different astatine nan opposing team’s], altering nan competitory equilibrium and granting an undue sporting advantage to nan applicant clubs.

“The integrity of nan title requires that each matches beryllium held nether nan aforesaid conditions for each teams. Unilaterally modifying this authorities breaks nan equality betwixt contenders, compromises nan legitimacy of nan results and sets an unacceptable precedent that opens nan doorway to exceptions based connected interests different than strictly sporting, pinch a clear effect connected sporting integrity and nan consequence of adulteration of nan competition.

“If this connection is carried out, its consequences would beryllium truthful superior that they would mean a earlier and aft for nan world of football.”

Real said they had asked Fifa not to authorise nan staging of nan crippled without nan anterior consent of each La Liga clubs, and had asked Uefa to impulse nan Spanish shot federation (Rfef) to retreat nan request.

Villarreal had earlier pledged that play summons holders would beryllium offered free recreation and introduction if nan convention crippled was moved to Miami. The nine besides said those who cannot go, aliases do not wish to go, would person a 20% discount connected nan full costs of their play ticket.

If Villarreal and Barcelona yet get nan greenish light, La Liga will beryllium nan first of Europe’s apical 5 leagues to shape a lucifer overseas.

The Villarreal president, Fernando Roig, told nan club’s charismatic website: “Reaching nan United States is an opportunity we must seize. We person to grow nan marque of our shot and of Villarreal CF. Many clubs work together connected nan request to internationalise and to look for ways to make much gross truthful we tin get person to different leagues, specified arsenic nan Premier League.”

Rfef gave its support to nan scheme connected Monday. The matter has now been referred to European football’s governing assemblage Uefa to statesman nan procedures and get nan basal authorisation from Fifa, world football’s governing body.

The Premier League main executive, Richard Masters, said past twelvemonth his title had nary plans to move matches overseas but accepted Fifa moves to reappraisal nan rules meant nan “door was ajar” for different leagues to do so.