Sports
FIFA president Infantino has doubts about La Liga match in Miami
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed concern about La Liga ’ s proposal to stage a fixture between Girona and Barcelona in the United States .The two clubs have each approved a request submitted to the Spanish Football Federation for the match to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on January 26 . It was originally scheduled as a home game for Girona , at their Estadi Montilivi .
The idea has proven controversial . Girona would be surrendering the advantages of playing at their own home ground , which in theory could benefit Barcelona .
Infantino said on Tuesday : “ I think I would prefer to see a great MLS game in the US rather than La Liga being in the US . In football , the general principle is that you play a ‘ home ’ match at ‘ home ’ , and not in a foreign country . ”
La Liga president Javier Tebas responded on Twitter . He wrote : “ I will remind the president of FIFA that in the MLS, three teams of Canada participate , and Toronto is the current champion , and also in Canada there is another professional league. ”
Toronto , Montreal and Vancouver all compete in the MLS but play home fixtures in their own cities , in Canada .
Infantino also confirmed the plan will need approval from the Spanish and US Football Federations , as well as UEFA and CONCACAF, the governing bodies in charge of European and North American football respectively .
He added : “ FIFA should also express a view on the matter, not least since it would have implications for football at a global level as well . ”
La Liga is discussing playing one game per season in the US as part of a 15 – year agreement with the media company Relevent.
Girona supporters have been offered a “ compensation package ” , which is believed to include free flights to the US , as well as 5 , 000 tickets for the reverse fixture at the Camp Nou later this month .
The offer to play the game abroad has been accepted by Girona , who have described it as “ a great opportunity to expand and grow , not only for the club but also for our city and our territory ” .
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said on Friday: “ Everything is still far away. It has been discussed with the players and there is an intention ( for the match to be moved ) . ”
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui believes moving the game would undermine the equality of the league .
“ I ’ m not in favour of it , ” Lopetegui said on Friday . “ I think we should all play in the same conditions , on the same pitches – that ’ s what makes the league equal . ”
La Liga has said the match is part of a long- term project, “ targeted at promoting football in the United States and Canada ” .
( AFP )
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