Bayer Leverkusen CEO weighs in on Villarreal-Barcelona match in Miami – ‘Thought UEFA would not allow it’ | OneFootball

The upcoming La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona, scheduled for December 20 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, has sparked debate across European football.

This fixture will mark a first for La Liga, as it becomes the first top-flight league to play a regular-season game outside its home country.

While the idea is seen as innovative, not everyone is convinced it is the right move.

Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, shared his perspective during the World Football Summit (WFS). Carro stated that while he didn’t believe UEFA would approve the match, he respects the Spanish league’s decision.

“I thought UEFA would not allow it, but if they do, it’s not my place to question it.

“In Germany, it would not be considered, but what Spanish football does is their business, and they can do as they please,” he explained.

The German executive noted that such a fixture would be unimaginable in Germany, where fans have a strong voice in club decisions despite the increasing commercialisation of the sport.

It must be noted that UEFA, after consulting all parties for over a month, gave the match the green light “reluctantly and on an exceptional basis.”

La Liga and RFEF defend the move

Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), led by president Rafael Louzan, has defended the decision.

Louzan emphasised that the match is a gesture for international fans, particularly in Asia and the Americas, who invest heavily to follow La Liga.

“It is exclusively up to us to deal with UEFA and FIFA. This gesture is good for soccer because it promotes LaLiga around the world,” he said.

However, there remains tension between La Liga and Real Madrid, as highlighted by Carro.

“I would like to see an end to the war between Real Madrid and LaLiga. It makes no sense.

“At the end of the day, LaLiga belongs to all the clubs. Both parties involved should make an effort to at least engage in dialogue,” he added.

While the Miami fixture promises to broaden La Liga’s global reach, it also raises questions about fan influence, club input, and the commercialisation of football.

Source: SPORT