Overseas La Liga game ‘good for football’ says Spain football chief

La Liga’s decision to move the fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona to Miami in December is “good for football”, says Spanish football federation (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan.

In August, the RFEF approved plans for the game that had been due to be hosted at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica to instead take place at Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December.

Real Madrid expressed opposition, stating the consequences would be “so serious” and lead to a “before and after” for the world of football.

Confirmation of the Miami game followed a decision by the Italian football federation (FIGC) to sanction a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como to be played in Perth, Australia in February.

“It’s a reward for those fans who are behind the screen, also in Asia or America, who are paying a fee to watch all the Spanish La Liga matches. It’s a gesture to them,” Louzan said.

“It’s good for football and it promotes the Spanish La Liga around the world. Italy is also going to do it with Serie A in Australia. It’s a good move for the best league in the world to do it.”

European football’s governing body Uefa was in “clear opposition” to the plans but “reluctantly” gave approval because there was no legal framework to stop it.

Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said it was a “regrettable” decision to allow two European league matches to be played overseas and insisted it “shall not be seen as setting a precedent”.

Barcelona’s greatest ever player, Lionel Messi, has made Miami his home since joining Inter Miami in 2023 following a two-season spell at Paris St-Germain.

Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, said when the fixture was announced: “A competitive game in a city like Miami, with a large FC Barcelona following, will definitely be a great show.”