MADRID — Real Madrid said it “firmly rejects” having a regular-season Spanish league game played in the United States and warned of “a turning point in the world of football.”
Villarreal, in contrast, is promising free travel and tickets for season-ticket holders if its match against Barcelona in Miami is approved in what would be a first for the league. The 17th-round match in La Liga would be played at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Madrid said Tuesday it has taken action to keep the Dec. 20 match from happening in the U.S., claiming it would hurt the “integrity of the competition” and the “legitimacy of the results.”
“The measure, which was taken without prior information or consultation of the clubs participating in the competition, infringes the essential principle of territorial reciprocity, which applies in two-legged league competitions (one match at home and the other at the home of the opposing team), upsetting the competitive balance and giving an undue sporting advantage to the applicant clubs,” Madrid said.
The club said the match would set “an unacceptable precedent that opens the door to exceptions based on non-sporting interests, clearly affecting sporting integrity and risking the adulteration of the competition.”
“If this proposal were to be carried out, its consequences would be so serious that it would be a turning point in the world of football,” Madrid said.
The Italian soccer federation said in July that a plan was in motion to play the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como in the Australian city of Perth in February.
Madrid said it has asked FIFA, UEFA and Spain’s top sports body to not authorize the game in the U.S.
Madrid and Spanish league President Javier Tebas have often been at odds on various issues.
Villarreal earlier Tuesday said its season ticket-holders can travel for free and receive free tickets for the match. It said those who don’t want to go, or can’t go, will get a 20% discount on their season tickets.
Staging a match abroad has long been part of the league’s goal to promote soccer and its brand in other countries.
It wasn’t clear whether it would be Villarreal or the league paying for the travel and tickets for the club’s fans this time.
The attempts to play in the U.S. are part of the league’s long-term partnership with sports and entertainment group Relevent Sports, which is part of Stephen Ross’ portfolio of companies including Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins, the Formula One’s Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open tennis tournament.
It has become routine for U.S. pro sports leagues to stage games in Europe, Asia and South America that help build their brands and fan bases.
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