Villarreal president Fernando Roig has confirmed he is in talks with La Liga in a bid to stage his team’s Dec. 8 league game against Atletico Madrid in Miami, Florida.
Villarreal released a statement on Thursday, saying they — along with Atletico and La Liga — had requested permission from the Spanish FA to hold the fixture at the Hard Rock stadium, home of NFL franchise the Miami Dolphins, after Villarreal vice-president Jose Manuel Llaneza met with La Liga executives earlier in the week.
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“I don’t know if we will accomplish it, but I hope we do,” Roig told Onda Cero radio.
“I think it’s good to export the Spanish league in such an important country as the United States. We’ve only just started [negotiations], it’s early on. It will be the first time in history and I think it’s good that Villarreal and Atletico will play this game [in Miami].
“If it’s good for Spanish football, it’s good for everyone.”
Plans to have a league game overseas are part of La Liga’s 15-year marketing agreement with Relevent Sports to promote the game in North America and expand its brand.
Last season, La Liga attempted to stage Girona’s home game against Barcelona in the United States, but even with the support of the two clubs, the plan was rejected by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), who in turn had FIFA’s backing.
La Liga need the support of the RFEF, as well as Spain’s Sports Council, UEFA, CONCACAF and U.S. Soccer in order to move the game away from Villarreal’s La Ceramica stadium.
“We have to continue to take steps and I would like there to be a general consensus,” Roig said. “I would like for this to happen, but with everyone on board. It’s not good to go against the current.
“There is no impediment by Atletico Madrid, nor by us. [Atletico] are in agreement. We are working so that we reach a good conclusion.”
Sources have told ESPN FC that Atletico coach Diego Simeone is not happy with the situation, but that he understands the club will receive a useful financial boost from it after last summer’s investments on transfers.
According to Thursday’s statement, Villarreal fans will be compensated for missing out on a home game if the location change is confirmed.
Season ticket holders will have a choice between a 40% discount on their season ticket for next season, a 20% discount on this season’s, a free ticket to the reverse fixture against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano (available to 3,000 fans, train travel paid for), or the chance to travel to Miami to watch December’s match (available to 600 fans).
“I don’t envision any problems,” Roig said. “We will explain everything to the fans once we get it done, but for the time being, there is nothing.”
While the RFEF has not yet authorised La Liga to play a regular league game overseas, the Spanish FA staged last season’s Spanish Supercup in Morocco, marking the first time it was held abroad.
The Spanish FA rejected the chance to stage this year’s Supercup in the United States, but is considering Saudi Arabia as “a possibility” from 2020.
ESPN FC’s Madrid correspondent Rodrigo Faez contributed to this report.