The FIFA Stakeholders Committee has "recommended that football's governing body should formally prevent leagues from holding official league matches outside of their home territories, a move that could thwart LaLiga's plan to hold a regular-season game in Miami." The committee in a statement said, "The committee endorsed the principle set out by the FIFA Council that official domestic matches should take place on the territory of the member association concerned." The move is "in response to efforts" by Relevent Sports to hold a LaLiga match in the U.S., which have been "rebuffed" by the USSF and Spanish Football Federation.
LaLiga President Javier Tebas in an email said, "This is a step back in promoting football worldwide. ...Leagues should have the freedom to bring their matches closer to their fans, just as the big American leagues have done for many years." A Relevent spokesperson "declined to comment." MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who has a seat on the stakeholders committee, on Wednesday said that he was "opposed to the idea of leagues holding official matches in other countries" (ESPN.com, 2/27).
