Spain: relocation of Girona FC - FC Barcelona match to the USA faces several regulatory issues

"There are none of the concrete objective elements necessary to ensure that the match of Girona FC - FC Barcelona (LaLiga Santander) in Miami (Florida, USA) does not violate the Collective Agreement between AFE and LaLiga," said the Association of Spanish Footballers, on 24/09/2018.

As part of an agreement between LaLiga and Relevent (US media, sports and entertainment company), to create a joint venture to promote football in the United States and Canada, it is envisaged that the Girona FC - FC Barcelona (Matchday 21 of the 2018-19 LaLiga Santander season) game will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium (64,982 capacity) of Miami (Florida) on Saturday 26/01/2019 (kick-off at 14:45 local time, 20:45 CET).

"At the moment there are none of the mandatory authorisations that would allow this match to be played in the United States," added the AFE, after both clubs and the Spanish league formally requested the Spanish Federation's (RFEF) authorisation to play this league game overseas, on 11/09/2018. The latter has not yet given its final answer and has requested the opinion of FIFA and…