UEFA Put the Brakes on LaLiga Plan to Play Villarreal-Barça in Miami
UEFA and FIFA approved the December 20, 2025 match in Miami to help La Liga expand its global fan base amid competition from the Premier League, officials said.
- UEFA delayed deciding on the Spanish Football Federation's request to play Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami at a meeting on September 11, 2025 in Tirana, Albania.
- The proposal to hold a La Liga match abroad follows similar requests from the Italian FA to stage a Serie A game in Perth, amid debates on sporting integrity and competition fairness.
- While UEFA does not oppose the Miami plan and plans consultations with clubs, leagues, and fans, opponents include Real Madrid, the Spanish Players' Association, and Spain’s sports minister Pilar Alegría, citing fan harm and national competition impact.
- Villarreal president Fernando Roig supports the plan for global expansion, noting "We have 20 academies" and emphasizing compensation funds for fans missing the match in Spain.
- The decision awaits broader stakeholder input and final approval from FIFA, highlighting ongoing divisions and UEFA's aim to balance global growth with protecting European football’s local identity.
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Uefa to Hold a Round of Consultations Before Deciding on Villarreal-barça in Miami - Digital Process
The UEFA Executive Committee has not yet ruled on the request made by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for LaLiga EA Sports Villarreal-Barcelona's 17th day match to be played in Miami and announced that it will hold a round of consultations between all parties, including fans.The UEFA entry will hold a round of consultations before deciding on Villarreal-Barça in Miami was first published in Digital Process.
It is a hot potato of important dimensions. An issue that can set a precedent. A novelty on which the regulatory framework is not clear and UEFA doubts its position on it and, above all, on what power it has if it decides to stand against it. It is the dispute of league meetings of nations in foreign territories, especially on other continents outside the borders of the countries belonging to UEFA. The Executive Committee of the European footbal…
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