La Liga had scheduled the Girona-FC Barcelona match for Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 26GETTY IMAGES
The Spanish FA (RFEF) said that there was a "'zero per cent chance'" the La Liga match between Girona and FC Barcelona at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami will go ahead, claiming that RFEF, UEFA, FIFA and the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) all "united against the proposal," according to Ed Malyon of the London INDEPENDENT. RFEF President Luis Rubiales revealed that he will "formally move to block the proposal, having called it an 'invasion' of the U.S., with the backing of governing bodies in charge" of European and world soccer in the "form of a letter" sent to La Liga President Javier Tebas. La Liga had scheduled the game for Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 26 (INDEPENDENT.co.uk, 9/21). The AP's Joseph Wilson cites a source as saying that the RFEF told La Liga it has "failed to show that the overseas match would comply with Spanish and international regulations and TV broadcast contracts, and that it would not represent a harm to the other 18 league clubs and the fans of Girona and Barcelona." La Liga asked the RFEF for "authorization to play the match last week" (AP, 9/21).
