Miami Plan: UEFA will listen to Real Madrid’s opposition to LaLiga game in USA

In just days, a bold plan to bring Spanish soccer to American soil faces a critical test. On Wednesday, September 11, UEFA’s Executive Committee will convene in Tirana, Albania, to decide whether the highly anticipated Villarreal vs. Barcelona match can be played outside Spain—specifically, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Friday, December 20.

This proposal, jointly backed by LaLiga and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), marks a significant push to globalize Spanish football. But UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, is treading carefully. As the steward of the sport across the continent, UEFA is concerned that exporting league matches could undermine the integrity of domestic competitions.

Fan backlash and internal opposition

UEFA’s caution isn’t just bureaucratic—it’s rooted in fan sentiment. After meeting with Football Supporters Europe, a coalition representing fans across the continent, UEFA received a clear message: European supporters overwhelmingly oppose league matches being played outside Europe.

And it’s not just fans. Within Spain, some clubs are pushing back. Real Madrid, in particular, issued a formal statement opposing the Miami match, directly referencing UEFA’s role in the decision. That internal dissent adds another layer of complexity to the debate.

A tale of two proposals

Interestingly, UEFA is also reviewing a separate proposal from Italy’s Serie A to host a Milan vs. Como match in Perth, Australia, this coming February. Unlike the Spanish case, the Italian plan enjoys unanimous support from Serie A clubs. Plus, the iconic San Siro stadium will be unavailable that weekend due to its role in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, making the overseas option more practical.

A precedent-setting moment

UEFA’s legal team is racing against the clock to craft a framework for what could become an historic precedent. This isn’t just a yes-or-no vote—it’s about defining the rules for when, how, and where domestic league matches can be played abroad. Questions on distance, frequency, competitive impact, and fan access are all on the table.

Once UEFA makes its call on September 11, the decision will be passed to FIFA, which holds the final say. For now, the fate of the Miami match—and potentially the future of globalized league play—rests in the hands of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.