Javier Tebas is close to fulfilling the wish he has been pursuing for more than five years: to take a LaLiga match to the United States. Since 2019, he has been thinking about taking at least one Spanish league match to the US, and during this time he has tried with El Clásico, with Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona, and now it seems that he will achieve his goal with Villarreal – Barça match, which would correspond to matchday 17, after receiving the green light from the Royal Spanish Football Federation, an obstacle he had failed to overcome in his previous attempts.
Tebas, awaiting UEFA and FIFA
Now, the good relations between Rafael Louzán, president of the RFEF, and Javier Tebas, his counterpart at LaLiga, seem to be bringing the head of the employers’ association closer to taking a match to the United States, more specifically to Miami. Hard Rock Stadium, where several matches of the 2025 Club World Cup were played, looks set to be the venue for this Villarreal vs. Barcelona match on American soil. The date chosen would be after mid-December, coinciding with the break in the league championship for the Christmas holidays, so the teams involved would not have to pay dearly for the fatigue of the trip on their return and everyone could rest.
The RFEF reported that it had received the request from LaLiga and the two clubs involved, Villarreal and Barcelona, to play that match on matchday 17 in Miami. The governing body of Spanish soccer has accepted the proposal and will now have to send it to UEFA so that FIFA, in the final instance, can also approve this move, which will prevent fans of the Yellow Submarine from seeing one of the best teams in our country this season at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Now everything is in the hands of these two bodies, but the truth is that there are several groups that are going to try to stop Javier Tebas.
Opposition to Tebas
Miguel Galán, president of the Association for Transparency and Democracy in Sport, has already spoken out to ensure that they will try to “prevent” Javier Tebas from taking Villarreal – Barcelona to Miami. In a message posted on social media, he lists the laws and articles that could prevent this big match between two historic teams in our country from being played outside our borders, so the head of LaLiga cannot yet consider himself victorious.
On the other hand, the Federation of Spanish Football Shareholders and Members has also issued a statement expressing its indignation at the RFEF’s decision to accept Javier Tebas’ proposal. This body defends the rights of fans and considers this to be a total violation after also having joined forces with different groups of Villarreal and Barcelona fans. “We consider it shameful to try to pervert our league by stealing its raison d’être, which is none other than the fans,” they wrote.
If Javier Tebas gets his way, Barcelona will avoid one of the most difficult away games of the season, although it is true that their record at the Estadio de la Cerámica is quite favorable for them. However, much of the criticism of moving this match to the United States is that it will be played on neutral ground, but history shows that the Culés will have the support of practically all the fans, which is why many complain that the Yellow Submarine, despite playing at home, will seem like the visitors due to the number of Blaugrana fans in the US.