Barcelona’s La Liga fixture against Atletico Madrid could reportedly take place in Miami in what would be a controversial move.
Barcelona‘s La Liga meeting with Atletico Madrid could reportedly be held in Miami in December.
The Catalan giants are currently preparing for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, but they are in the headlines for a game scheduled to take place at the end of the year.
As it stands, Barcelona are set to face Diego Simeone‘s Atletico Madrid at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on December 22.
However, there is speculation suggesting that the domestic fixture could be taken overseas to the USA in a controversial move.
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Could Barcelona face Atletico in Miami?
According to the Daily Mail, work is going on behind the scenes for the game to be switched to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The report claims that the fixture will be moved if FIFA, UEFA and the Spanish federation all give the green light.
The three parties are currently working on the proposal and there is seemingly hope that it will be given the go-ahead.
If the proposal was approved, it would represent the first time that a La Liga match would be played outside of Spain.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has made no secret of his desire to take La Liga overseas, having expressed a desire to play a game in Miami.
In September, Tebas told ESPN: “It [a regular league game in Miami] will be played but when it remains to be seen. We have to have an agreement with the federation in Spain.
“The federation is still in a significant void [with a president having yet to be elected] and that is causing a delay for it to happen this season. We will see if it can be done next season.”
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Gimenez criticises Miami plans
While Tebas is keen to take a game to the USA, Atletico defender Jose Maria Gimenez has criticised the plans to move the December fixture.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Lille, Gimenez said: “Me, honestly, I didn’t know about it. But well, what can I say about it, I hope that it is played here, with the fans that follow us in every game.”
It ultimately remains to be seen whether December’s clash between two of La Liga’s biggest clubs will take place in familiar surroundings or in the USA in a controversial switch.