Plans to stage a highly anticipated LaLiga match in Miami have been put on hold for the time being, according to multiple sources who spoke to ESPN. This decision stems from the significant logistical challenges posed by the scheduled match between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, which is set for December.
ESPN previously reported last month that the Spanish league was growing increasingly optimistic about transferring Barça’s home game against Atlético to the iconic Hard Rock Stadium, a move that excited fans in both Spain and the United States.
However, various insiders involved in the project have disclosed to ESPN that time constraints have rendered it impossible to relocate this particular game, which is slotted for the weekend commencing December 21. Consequently, plans to shift a LaLiga fixture to the United States have been temporarily “parked,” leaving ambiguity about the future of such events.
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A source from LaLiga directed queries regarding the project to Relevent Sports Group, the North American company coordinating the effort in collaboration with the league, emphasizing that they are driving the initiative forward.
Relevent has yet to respond to an ESPN request for comment, raising questions about the organization’s next steps in this ambitious venture.
To successfully move a regular-season game from Spain to the U.S., LaLiga must secure approval from several governing bodies, including the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), U.S. Soccer, Concacaf, UEFA, and FIFA. These intricate international regulations add layers of complexity to the overall process.
One of the significant hurdles preventing the relocation of a game next month is the RFEF’s lack of a permanent president, with elections scheduled for December 16. This situation creates uncertainty regarding whether the interim management committee has the authority to sanction the game, which could further delay plans.
LaLiga has been eager to move a match to Miami for several years, attempting to bring previous fixtures like Barça-Girona and Atlético-Villarreal to the vibrant city in 2019, but those plans ultimately fell through. The continued interest in facilitating such events indicates the growing potential for international matches.
At the time, there was substantial opposition from FIFA and other entities, but a landmark court ruling earlier this year shifted the landscape and sparked optimism about the feasibility of playing regular-season matches in foreign territories sooner rather than later.
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the go-ahead for Relevent’s antitrust lawsuit against FIFA and U.S. Soccer, challenging the global governing body’s policy that prohibits league matches involving international clubs from being hosted in countries other than those of the participating teams.
A LaLiga insider, while refraining from commenting specifically on the Barcelona-Atlético matchup, reaffirmed the league’s intention to eventually bring a match to the United States. This sentiment has been echoed numerous times by LaLiga’s president, Javier Tebas, showcasing the league’s ambition and commitment to expanding its global footprint.
**Interview with Sam Marsden, Barcelona Correspondent for ESPN**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Sam. Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent news about the Barcelona-Atlético Madrid match in Miami being cancelled. Can you give us an overview of what led to this decision?
**Sam Marsden:** Thank you for having me. The decision to cancel the plans for the match in Miami primarily stems from significant logistical challenges. Even though there was a lot of optimism around moving the game to Hard Rock Stadium, time constraints played a crucial role. The match is scheduled for December 21, and it became apparent that there simply wasn’t enough time to coordinate all the necessary arrangements.
**Interviewer:** That makes sense. I know the idea excited fans both in Spain and in the U.S. What was the reaction from fans before the cancellation?
**Sam Marsden:** The initial excitement was palpable. Fans were looking forward to the chance to see two of LaLiga’s biggest teams play in person, especially given the growing popularity of soccer in the U.S. The prospect of hosting a high-profile match like this was seen as a significant opportunity for LaLiga to expand its footprint in America.
**Interviewer:** Were there specific governing bodies that needed to approve this relocation, and how did that impact the timeline?
**Sam Marsden:** Yes, to successfully move a regular-season game from Spain to the U.S., LaLiga needs approval from several governing bodies, including the Royal Spanish Football Federation and others involved in the sport’s governance. Getting all those approvals in time has proven to be a daunting task, which contributed to the inability to follow through this time.
**Interviewer:** Given the cancellation, what can we expect from LaLiga and Relevent Sports Group moving forward in terms of future matches in the U.S.?
**Sam Marsden:** While this specific match is off the table, LaLiga and Relevent Sports Group are still committed to bringing matches to the U.S. in the future. They have not given up on the idea entirely, and there’s potential for more discussions on other matches down the line. However, it will require better planning and coordination to ensure success.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sam. It sounds like while this endeavor faced challenges, the door isn’t closed on future opportunities.
**Sam Marsden:** Exactly, and it’ll be interesting to see how this evolves in the coming months. Thank you for having me!