The President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rafael Louzan, has publicly defended LaLiga’s decision to stage a league match in Miami, Florida, later this year, calling it “good for football” and a deserved “reward for the international supporters.”
The match, which will see Barcelona face Villarreal at Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, will be the first official European league fixture ever played abroad.
A Reward for International Fans
Speaking at the World Football Summit in Madrid on Wednesday, Louzan argued that the move is a necessary acknowledgment of the global fanbase that supports the Spanish league financially.
“It is a reward for those fans who are behind the screen, in Asia or America, who are paying a fee to watch all the LaLiga matches,” Louzan said.
He emphasized the dual benefits of the decision: “It is good for football and promotes the Spanish league around the world.” Louzan also noted that Italy’s Serie A is following suit, with a match between AC Milan and Como scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia.
Context of European Approvals
This initiative comes after the European governing body, UEFA, officially approved a LaLiga match and a Serie A game to be played outside of Europe’s borders. The decision has been met with both enthusiasm for its commercial potential and criticism regarding the disruption of traditional league fixtures.
The Barcelona vs. Villarreal match, scheduled for December 20, is highly anticipated as it marks a new chapter in how European top-tier leagues engage with their vast international audience.
Source: Super Sports
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