Barcelona supremo hints at halt to LaLiga plan to stage league match in US
KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTING —- The prospects of a Spanish league game being played in the United States any time soon have receded after cautionary comments from Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and criticism from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Taking a LaLiga match to the US has been a priority for league president Javier Tebas in his aggressive quest to take on the English Premier League in the international revenue-generating arenas.
Last month the LFP confirmed a plan to stage a Catalan derby between Barcelona and Girona in Miami. This ran into immediate vocal opposition from fans and from captains of the other Spanish league clubs. A request for permission has been lodged with the Spanish federation but remains unanswered.
Barcelona president Bartomeu, in a radio interview, sounded a notes of caution, saying: “I do not know if this game will be played in Miami. The proposal of LaLiga seemed like a good idea to promote the league and must approach the fans about new sources of income but the decision is not up to me.
“We are competing for revenue with the Premier League and promoting the league and the Barça brand in an emerging market like the United States is good but this is not a merely a short-term issue. We have to look at the longer term. The extra monies would also be good for smaller clubs and for the players.
“Girona and Barça have asked for permission. Without it, nothing happens. The federation has not yet replied.”
The Spanish federation has been in flux ever since the enforced, scandal-shrouded exit of long-serving president Angel Maria Villar in 2016. Successor Jose Luis Rubiales sparked controversy with his decision to sack national coach Julen Lopetegui on the eve of this year’s World Cup because of his intention to take over at Real Madrid after the finals.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is promoting an expansionist agenda for the European game but, in current delicate circumstances, the RFEF may decide to pay more attention to the disapproving stance of Infantino, president of the world federation.
In an interview with US outlets, he said: “I would prefer a big MLS game in the United States instead of a LaLiga game in the United States.
“They are regulations that everyone follows. A proposal must be accepted by the respective associations, by the respective confederations and by FIFA and there should be a special reason for it.”
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