• LaLiga.Fernando Roig confirms the proposal to play Villarreal-Atlético in Miami

At around 10.45 a.m., the RFEF received the formal request of LaLiga for Villarreal-Atlético on day 16 to be played in Miami. The date: December 6, at 22.00 Spanish time. However, a few hours before that official request, at the edge of midnight on Wednesday, it was known by the president of Villarreal, Fernando Roig, LaLiga's plan to try to land again in the United States. Only a few months after that Girona-Barcelona, ​​scheduled for January 26, was nowhere because of the refusal of the Federation. Nothing has changed since then and the body chaired by Luis Rubiales keeps his position intact: "The matches of the Spanish league are played within the national territory."

Because the RFEF's position regarding the possibility of holding LaLiga matches outside Spain is firm: each team must play in their stadium. So, since it is the Federation that has the last word, the option that the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami see a Villarreal-Atlético (day 16), on December 6, is now ruled out. "All teams must play on equal terms and the regulations do not allow it," they add from the agency, which justifies the dispute of the Spanish Super Cup in another territory, when all matches are held on the same stadium.

LaLiga has the support of both Villarreal and Atlético. Both clubs are in favor of the international expansion of the competition. Hence, they see with good eyes the option of facing each other on the US premises the first week of December. "I think it is good for us to export the Spanish League to a country as important as the United States," Fernando Roig , president of the Castellón club, admitted on 'Onda Cero', hours before sending the formal request to the RFEF.

International expantion

"We believe that playing outside our borders is good for Spanish football and Atlético's position is to collaborate with both the Federation and LaLiga," they explain to this newspaper from Atlético de Madrid. The rojiblanco club also gave its approval to the Spanish Federation itself, when asked about the possibility of playing the Spanish Super Cup in another country. "It is good for clubs and for the expansion of the competition itself," they add from Atlético, whose squad has spent part of the preseason in the United States and is aware of the interest that Spanish football arouses on the other side of the Atlantic.

The thesis on which LaLiga relies goes along the same lines: "Bringing the clubs closer to these fans represents an important opportunity to connect with them and continue working for the global monitoring of the competition worldwide."

Just one year ago, Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, raised the option of Girona-Barcelona also being held in Miami. The RFEF response was identical. He even received the refusal of FIFA: "The match must be played within the territory of the respective federation." That game was scheduled to take place on January 26 and ended up being played in Montilivi. The refusal had nothing to do with the possible political connotations. The Federation adhered to the regulations. Same as now. So Villarreal-Atlético seems unfeasible.

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