Spanish Football Federation President: Oversees Matches ‘Good for Football’

Key Takeaways:

• La Liga fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona is scheduled for 20 December at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium
• Spanish football federation president Rafael Louzan described the decision as beneficial for football
• UEFA and Real Madrid have openly stated their opposition to European league matches being played overseas

Fixture Relocation and Federation Reaction

The highly anticipated La Liga encounter between Villarreal and Barcelona will be relocated from its original home at Estadio de la Ceramica to Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December. This move, authorised by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) in August, marks a significant departure from league tradition.

RFEF president Rafael Louzan endorsed the decision, stating that the transatlantic fixture is “good for football” as it broadens global engagement with Spanish football. According to Louzan, “It’s a reward for those fans who are behind the screen, also in Asia or America, who are paying a fee to watch all the Spanish La Liga matches. It’s a gesture to them.”

🇺🇸 @LaLiga's decision to stage a match in Miami later this year is good for football and a reward for the international supporters who pay to watch the league from afar, the Spanish soccer federation's (RFEF) president Rafael Louzan said https://t.co/zebUmN8Uh0

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_AUS) October 16, 2025

Global Precedent and Official Opposition

The decision comes on the heels of a similar announcement by the Italian football federation (FIGC), permitting a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como to be held in Perth, Australia, in February. Louzan remarked, “It’s good for football and it promotes the Spanish La Liga around the world. Italy is also going to do it with Serie A in Australia. It’s a good move for the best league in the world to do it.”

Despite federation support, the move has attracted criticism from key stakeholders. Real Madrid objected, warning that the repercussions would be “so serious” as to represent a significant turning point for global football.

European football’s governing body, UEFA, also voiced strong reservations. UEFA has been in “clear opposition” to such plans, but president Aleksander Ceferin clarified that the body “reluctantly” gave approval owing to the absence of a legal mechanism to block the matches. Ceferin described the decision as “regrettable” and insisted it “shall not be seen as setting a precedent.”

Barcelona’s Miami Connections and Club Reaction

The match will be staged in a city with strong ties to Barcelona, not least because Lionel Messi, regarded as the club’s greatest ever player, has been living in Miami since joining Inter Miami in 2023 after two seasons at Paris St-Germain.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta commented at the fixture’s announcement: “A competitive game in a city like Miami, with a large FC Barcelona following, will definitely be a great show.”

Barcelona have previously played four pre-season friendlies in Miami, with their most recent appearance taking place in 2022.