Villarreal manager reacts to confirmed USA fixture against Barcelona | OneFootball

On Monday, UEFA approved La Liga’s request to move the December match between Villarreal and Barcelona to the United States. It comes despite strong opposition from all quarters – including from the European football governing body themselves, although they say that there is no basis to stop it from happening on this occasion.

Prior to its approval, Villarreal president Fernando Roig defended La Liga’s proposal, and now, head coach Marcelino Garcia Toral has given his reaction to the news that his side – pending FIFA’s say – will be playing at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami later this year, as per Sport.

“If they tell us we have to play there, we’ll do it. If the right teams say we have to play there, we’ll face this new experience against a great team and hope to win.

“I don’t know if it will change the fact of playing in Miami, because until after the experience, I won’t be able to answer because it’s new for all of us. Football is the same everywhere and that’s how we will have to play that day. It will be a long trip and we will adapt to what the competition says.”

Image via Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images

Spanish government get involved in USA fixture

As per the report, the Spanish government have now got involved in the matter, now that it has been confirmed that Villarreal-Barcelona match will be played outside of Spain. Through the Higher Sports Council, they have requested information from the Spanish Federation, in which they are seeking to understand whether they are able to have any say on whether they can stop the fixture being moved to the United States.

La Liga, Villarreal and Barcelona may have got their way for now, but given the strong reaction to UEFA’s decision, it would be no surprise to see measures taken to prevent the match being played in Miami, outwith FIFA’s decision. But for now, it has moved one step closer to becoming a reality.