Real Madrid have announced their opposition to a plan to relocate La Liga clash between Villarreal and FC Barcelona to Miami next December.
The Spanish Football Federation have given green light for the game to be relocated to USA, precisely at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20.
However, the body noted that it will forward the request to UEFA and FIFA.
Real Madrid, Barca’s archival, claim playing a domestic fixture abroad violates the Federation’s rules.
“The measure, implemented without prior information or consultation with the clubs participating in the competition, violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity that governs double-round league competitions (one match at home and the other at the opposing team’s home ground), altering the competitive balance and granting an unfair sporting advantage to the requesting clubs,” Madrid said in a statement.
Los Blancos added that Barcelona would be at an advantage over Villarreal due to former Barca star, Lionel Messi’s popularity in Miami. Messi plies his trade at Inter Miami co-owned by England legend David Beckham.
Real Madrid said they had contacted FIFA, UEFA, and the Higher Sports Council to defend “the national and international regulations governing the organisation of official competitions.”
Fasfe, the Spanish Football Shareholders and Societies Federation, which brings together many supporters, has also expressed its “absolute, total and firm” opposition to the project.
It would be the first time for an official domestic league match to be held abroad.