LaLiga could be set for a first ever domestic fixture on US soil in just two months time.
Barcelona’s clash with Atletico Madrid in December 22 is the match in question, with hope that it could be hosted in Miami, subject to an agreement between FIFA, UEFA and the Spanish FA.
The potential trail-blazing fixture would mean a trip across the pond for England’s Conor GallagherGetty
The league game is currently set to take place at Barca‘s temporary Olympic Stadium on the weekend of December 21 and 22, days before Christmas.
With FIFA to make the final decision, the Daily Mail has reported that all three parties involved are working to take the fixture overseas, with Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium the proposed venue.
The publication also said that news of the potential LaLiga game Stateside has alerted a number of Premier League clubs.
Sources at various sides are rumoured to feel that, if successful in their bid to stage the fixture abroad, the Spanish sides will have stolen a march on the English top-flight in this respect.
The Premier League has previously said it has no plans to play games overseas.
But Simon Jordan has rubbished any talk that the Premier League would be missing out on an opportunity to expand its market by failing to beat LaLiga to the milestone fixture.
Speaking on White and Jordan, the talkSPORT host argued that hosting an English league game in the US would be of little benefit to either party.
When asked by Jim White if it was a matter of time before a Premier League fixture takes place overseas, Jordan replied: “Probably, I would like it not to be. I don’t think there’s a necessity for it to be.”
He continued: “The feeling I’ve got from both MLS and US soccer is they don’t want it. They don’t want it.
“There’s no benefit to him. What is the benefit to US soccer? To have cock of the walk European sides coming into their domestic game and showing them how poor their football is.”
Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium holds 65,000 peopleGetty
Jordan is not convinced by the benefits of hosting Premier League games in the UStalkSPORT
Jordan went on to argue that the would-be LaLiga fixture in the US is part of an attempt by major European leagues to increase their revenue in a bid to compete with the Premier League.
He went on: “There’s a needs must scenario, with the European leagues because they cannot keep up with the economic powerhouse that is the Premier League.
“They get nowhere near it. They’re not even the same zip code of it, to coin an Americanism. So I can understand why they feel they need to go on tour and take their clubs on tour.”
The talkSPORT host also slammed LaLiga president Javier Tebas’ suggestion that a match hosted in the US would be the respectful option for American fans.
Last summer Tebas said: “It’s a mark of respect to the US fans [of LaLiga].
“We are seeing NBA and NFL playing in Europe or in Mexico. This would resonate in the American market.”
But Jordan shut down this claim, saying: “It’s not a mark of respect, it’s a commercial transaction. Let’s not dress it up into what it isn’t.”
He then highlighted Barcelona’s well-documented financial struggles to explain the commercial drive behind the decision, with the club’s debt estimated to stand at £2.5billion.
A LaLiga match in the US has long been a goal of LaLiga President Javier TebasGetty
Jordan added: “Don’t forget, Barcelona sold their TV rights. They’ve sold a percentage of their own revenue to be able to meet their current obligations.
“It’s no surprise that Barcelona might be the first team out of the blocks to try and find some opportunity, given where they’ve put themselves economically.”
Should Barcelona and Atletico meet on American soil, it would see a long-term plan finally come to fruition.
In 2019, LaLiga tried to move Girona vs Barcelona and Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid away from Spain during Luis Rubiales’ reign as Spanish FA president.
