LaLiga’s decision to stage at least one match in the United States has been met with resistance.
Resistance from the Spanish FA, U.S. Soccer, CONCACAF and — you know it’s a BAD idea when this guy says as much — FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Yes, even FIFA is opposed to this outlandish bit of money-grubbing at the expense of sport, which says it all really.
In August, LaLiga announced it’s 15-year partnership with RELEVENT Sports — the same company that’s been annually fleecing the American public via the glorified preseason training exercise known as the International Champions Cup. The only problem is, LaLiga consulted no one but its own pockets with the decision, and players, supporters and clubs in Spain are understandably annoyed.
Hell, even the Spanish government was pissed that LaLiga had preemptively selected two Catalan sides — Barcelona and Girona — to take to the pitch in Miami. Perhaps LaLiga just didn’t realize how many palms it would have to grease to actually set this plan in motion.
But the real sporting absurdity of it all is that if Barcelona is playing an “away” match against Girona at the Hard Rock Stadium with 65,000 spectators clad in Messi replica kits, how is that an “away” match?
How could you possibly justify that to rivals like Atletico and Real, who actually have to play at the Montilivi in Girona?
Hats off to LaLiga for figuring out another ingenious way to ruin modern football.