Barça, Girona & LaLiga ask RFEF for permission to play in Miami
LaLiga confirmed a letter has been sent to Spanish football's governing body
La Liga have confirmed that, along with Barcelona and Girona, they have made an official request to the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] to move January’s game between the two sides to Miami.
Girona would be giving up a home game to make the switch to the United States but La Liga say “Aficiones Unidas (AFEPE), an association of fan clubs, has welcomed this compensation package” which has been offered to supporters.
Full statement:
FC Barcelona, Girona FC and LaLiga have requested permission from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to stage the matchday 21 fixture between Girona and Barcelona, scheduled to be played on 26 January, at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in a 20:45 CET kick-off.
The request, signed by FC Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu, Girona FC President Delfí Geli and LaLiga President Javier Tebas, was submitted to the RFEF late Monday. The submission has been made after successfully completing the first key steps with several stakeholders.
One of the elements of the request is the compensation offered to Girona season ticket holders, who have this fixture included in their season ticket. Aficiones Unidas (AFEPE), an association of fan clubs, has welcomed this compensation package.
The clubs and LaLiga, recently named Honorary Ambassador of Brand Spain, also explained that they will work hand in hand with the main Spanish government institutions, as well as other federations and sports entities, to promote Spanish football and its values as a vehicle for developing the Brand Spain in North America.
The proposed LaLiga match in Miami is part of LaLiga North America, a wide ranging and long-term joint venture announced in August between LaLiga and Relevent, a multinational media, sports and entertainment group. LaLiga North America is targeted at promoting football in the United States and Canada.
BARÇA's TAKE
Barcelona vice president Jordi Cardoner has said: "It has to be done with the blessing of all parties involved. The platform which playing a game in Miami offers us is interesting for football and for our club. But it has to be done with the blessing of everyone. I'm sure it's a positive [move] for football."
