LaLiga’s aspiration to move the Barcelona-Atlético de Madrid match on December 22 to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, is once again facing complications. As explained by Mundo Deportivo, the Temporary Management Commission of the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) withdrew the inquiry it had submitted to the Higher Sports Council (CSD) on Monday to confirm whether they had the authority to make a decision on this match due to not having a president yet.
The query was formulated with the aim of determining whether, in this interim situation, the Management Commission can adopt a resolution on the matter. Its members chose to play it safe due to being in an electoral period. It is worth noting that the TAD disqualified Pedro Rocha for overstepping his functions while leading the commission.
The Spanish Sports Council (CSD) directly referred this query to the Administrative Court of Sport (TAD), but the federative entity ended up withdrawing it before receiving a response. This is an essential step for the match to be played in Miami, which implies that the possibility is cooling off. LaLiga maintains interest in the initiative of taking a league match to American soil and argues that it is not up to them to withdraw or reconsider proposals, since approval has to come from the RFEF, FIFA, UEFA, and the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Soccer (Concacaf).
To play the Barça-Atlético match in Miami, approval from the RFEF, UEFA, FIFA, and Concacaf is required
This is the third attempt of the organization chaired by Javier Tebas to bring LaLiga to the United States. The first dates back to 2018, when they tried to hold a Girona-Barça match in January 2019 in the North American country. Initially, both clubs saw it in a positive light, but disagreements between the Federation and LaLiga led the Barcelona team to withdraw its support for the initiative.
In the second attempt, the journey led to the courts. In 2019, there was an attempt to move a Villarreal-Atlético de Madrid match, but the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) opposed it and the courts ruled in their favor: without authorization from the governing body, a match cannot take place outside the country.
