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In a ruling that will satisfy the Royal Spanish Football Federation and disappoint LaLiga chief Javier Tebas, a judge has blocked the league’s efforts to play December’s Atlético Madrid-Villarreal in Miami.
Essentially, the reasoning behind the move is that the federation do not want it played in the States. LaLiga’s complaint is identical to the one brought last year, when the proposal for a Barcelona-Girona game in Miami was rejected.
The unilateral decision to host the game outside of Spain needed approval from both the Spanish federation and UEFA, which it had not been given.
Moisés Guillamón listened to both parties — though Tebas from LaLiga and Luis Rubiales from the federation did not attend — and rejected the league’s request, as there need to be exceptional circumstances to change the location of a game.
Good news and common sense prevails as judge sides with Spanish FA/FIFA and blocks #LaLiga initiative to stage Villarreal - Atletico Madrid in Miami. https://t.co/dlharEnsgy
— Paul Reidy (@paulreidy67) November 15, 2019
“We express our maximum respect for the decision that does not pre-judge the matter, which will result in a final say next February, 2020,” a league statement read.
LaLiga statement on plans to play a game in Miami - it won't be Villarreal - Atleti in December pic.twitter.com/QKvIsdpvlx
— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) November 15, 2019