La Liga have officially requested to the Spanish football federation to host the Barcelona -Atletico Madrid league match in Miami

La Liga has been pursuing the chance to stage games outside of Spain, and it seems that their efforts are finally coming to fruition. With ongoing negotiations aimed at obtaining FIFA’s support, and a notable reduction in friction between La Liga President Javier Tebas and RFEF President Luis Rubiales, the pathway to making this aspiration a reality is much clearer.

The highly anticipated match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at Montjuic, set for December 21st or 22nd, has been identified as a leading candidate to be held outside of Spanish territory. La Liga is particularly eager to host this inaugural game in Miami, Florida. If the event proceeds as planned in the USA, it would take place at Hard Rock Stadium, which serves as the home for the Miami Dolphins. Importantly, the match would occur just a day before the Dolphins go head-to-head against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, adding to the excitement in the locale.

Reports from MD indicate that La Liga has formally requested approval from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to host the match overseas. The interim management board of the RFEF is charged with reviewing this application. If they approve, they will forward the proposal to UEFA for the final decision. It’s crucial to note that the interim board has the authority to make determinations about the request, but the final endorsement will be in UEFA’s hands, with a deadline of December 1st to facilitate any potential arrangements.

Both FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have voiced their support for the concept of hosting the match in Miami, acknowledging the opportunity for enhanced visibility and fan involvement. Nevertheless, objections exist; Atletico defender Jose Maria Gimenez has clearly articulated his concerns about the idea of playing the match abroad. This opinion reflects broader apprehensions that have arisen amidst recent changes in leadership within the RFEF. There remain uncertainties regarding which members of the interim board are empowered to authorize the request, especially following the suspension of former interim president Pedro Rocha due to prior oversteps in authority. These factors highlight the intricate nature of organizing an international match and the various perspectives that need to be taken into account.