“Real Madrid say they are opposed to plans by their bitter rivals Barcelona to play a league match in the US this season, saying the move “sets an unacceptable precedent”.
Barcelona and Villarreal are seeking permission from the football authorities to play in Miami in December. The club also said those who cannot go, or do not wish to go, would receive a 20% discount on the total cost of their season ticket.
If Villarreal and Barcelona ultimately get the green light, La Liga will be the first of Europe’s top five leagues to stage a match overseas.
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The Villarreal president, Fernando Roig, told the club’s official website: “Reaching the United States is an opportunity we must seize. The matter has now been referred to European football’s governing body Uefa to begin the procedures and obtain the necessary authorisation from Fifa, world football’s governing body.
The Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, said last year his competition had no plans to move matches overseas but accepted Fifa moves to review the rules meant the “door was ajar” for other leagues to do so.
