La Liga president confirms “a commitment” to play one league match in the United States
La Liga president Javier Tebas has confirmed that plans are underway to stage a regular season match in the United States, with Barcelona likely to be involved.
Speaking at a press event in London on Thursday, Tebas said that Miami remains a “likely destination” for an official La Liga fixture during the current season. However, he stopped short of confirming which club might be involved or whether the match would ultimately go ahead.
“We’ve said for some time now that our intention is to play a league match outside Spain,” said Tebas. “We’re continuing to work toward that.”
There has been speculation on the topic in the past, but it was revived again recently by Miguel Galan, head of Spain’s national football coaching centre, CENAFE. Galan claimed on social media that Barcelona would face Villarreal in Miami this December.
Tebas refused to confirm the claim: “I don’t respond to Miguel Galan because he says a lot of things. Take his prediction like a lottery ticket.
“It’s always possible, but I don’t know if it will be Barcelona versus Villarreal or a different match.”
The La Liga president has also been quoted on social media as saying: “We have a commitment to play a La Liga match in Miami some day, and it has to be big teams like Barcelona or Atletico Madrid. Considering the relationships, it’s easier to have Barcelona and not Real Madrid.”
