Date set for UEFA to make a decision on Villarreal vs Barcelona match being moved to Miami | OneFootball

According to Mundo Deportivo, UEFA will deliver its decision regarding whether the Villarreal vs Barcelona La Liga fixture can legally be played in Miami on September 11.

The Executive Committee will meet that day and will review the request made by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to take the match abroad.

The request, which has the approval of both Villarreal and Barcelona, is for matchday 17 of La Liga, scheduled for December 20, to be staged in the United States.

This would be the first time a Spanish league game is played outside the country, making it a landmark moment if approved.

Two weeks ago, the RFEF board officially forwarded the proposal to UEFA, giving the governing body the responsibility to study whether such a move is legally possible.

Resistance in Spain and UEFA’s role

While La Liga’s organisers see the idea as a way to globalise the competition, there is strong opposition in Spain.

La Liga wants to play Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

The AFE (Federal Association of Football Supporters of Europe) has gathered signatures from captains of all 42 clubs in the First and Second Divisions, rejecting the move.

Their argument is that Spanish football should remain in Spain to protect the integrity of the competition and its supporters.

Interestingly, Italy has made a similar request for a Serie A clash between Milan and Como to be played in Australia on February 6.

That case, however, seems more likely to be approved as it has faced less opposition.

Long line to get the approval

UEFA’s decision is complicated, as giving the green light to Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami would set a major precedent.

If approved, the final word would then fall to FIFA, which would also regulate how often league games can be played abroad, how far teams can travel, and which clubs would be eligible.

The outcome of this decision will be historic. For Barcelona and Villarreal, it could mean being part of the first La Liga match ever staged outside Spain.