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Barcelona and Girona set to play league game in Miami

By Ernesto Hernandez

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 21: A FC Barcelona supporter waves a Spanish flag among Catalonia's Pro-Independence flags prior to the Spanish Copa del Rey Final match between Barcelona and Sevilla at Wanda Metropolitano stadium on April 21, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 21: A FC Barcelona supporter waves a Spanish flag among Catalonia's Pro-Independence flags prior to the Spanish Copa del Rey Final match between Barcelona and Sevilla at Wanda Metropolitano stadium on April 21, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) /
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Barcelona, Girona, and LaLiga submit proposal to play an official game in the United States.

An official proposal by LaLiga has been sent to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) seeking permission to play the match between Girona and Barcelona in Miami, Florida.

The proposal has been signed by Javier Tebas, LaLiga president, as well as by Josep Maria Bartomeu and Delfí Geli, presidents of Barcelona and Girona, respectively. Now they await for the approval of the federation.

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The proposed league game in the United States is a controversial one and has had its share of resistance.

The players union already shared their disapproval of the idea after holding a meeting a few weeks ago.

Sergio Busquets, the Barcelona representative, said, “Together we are stronger and as our president has said, we all think the same way on this.”

Busquets was referencing what David Aganzo, president of the Spanish Players Union, said when asked about the proposal. Aganzo said that the players were surprised and angry and added that they were prepared to go on strike.

However, at this point, it appears likely that a game in Miami will indeed be taking place. But the RFEF still has the power to reject the proposal and quash any ideas about playing a league game outside of Spain.

Aside from appeasing the players and the federation, another potential hurdle were the fans. To lose a home game against Barcelona is going to upset Girona supporters. LaLiga recently came up with a compensation package to try to soften the blow.

The compensation package includes free travel and entrance for 1,500 people, a two-night stay at a four-star hotel in Miami, and a 40 percent discount on season tickets.

In their official statement, LaLiga stated that Aficiones Unidas (AFEPE), an association of fan clubs, has welcomed the compensation package.

While it looks that LaLiga and the parties involved have “crossed their t’s and dotted their i’s,” the final word is up to the RFEF. If Spain’s governing body still disapproves, then it’s back to square one.

At this point, playing an official league game in the United States is more a matter of “when” than “if.” There are other factors, mostly economical, that will make this scenario come true. It’s what it always comes down to.

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If they RFEF gives the go-ahead, the game will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami, on January 26, 2019.

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