Spanish football federation’s (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan has defended La Liga’s decision to play a match in the United States, calling it a reward for international supporters outside of Spain, Afrosport reports.
European football governing body UEFA has approved the match between Barcelona and Villarreal to be played in Miami as well the Serie A between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia.
The La Liga match is scheduled to take place on December 20 at the iconic Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens which hosted eight matches at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer and will host seven matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“It is a reward for those fans who are behind the screen, in Asia or America, who are paying a fee to watch all the LaLiga matches,” Louzan said at the World Football Summit in Madrid.
“It is a gesture for them. It is good for football and promotes the Spanish league around the world. Italy is also going to do it with Serie A in Australia.”
It will mark the first time ever that an European league match will be played overseas.
