Spanish FA rejects moving Girona-Barcelona game to Miami

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The Spanish football federation has reportedly refused to grant permission for La Liga to move the game between Girona and Barcelona next January to Miami, the United States.

The group's president, Luis Rubiales, wrote Javier Tebas, his counterpart of La Liga, a letter in which he stated his objection to the proposal of holding a game in the United States right in the middle of the season. A copy of the letter was also sent to football's world governing body the FIFA.

According to AS newspaper, the federation wanted to know why that particular game was chosen. Considering that both Girona and Barcelona are teams from Catalonia, a region that has been chasing independence for a long time, political implications are unavoidable. The Spanish government does not like it and Gianni Infantino, chief of FIFA pointed that out, too, it was reported.

Javier Tebas, president of La Liga. /VCG Photo

In the letter, the federation asked for documents to help clarify "the agreement signed by the organization to stage matches in the United States, of which fundamental aspects remain unknown, such as the obligations entered into and whether the consent of the United States exists ... and whether the consent of the clubs and actors involved in the competition exists."

Spain's soccer governing body also worried about "the possible implications for integrity and general sporting principles" if the game is given the green light and questioned whether holding the game in the US "is in line with the strategic directions of these leading international sporting bodies."

Both Barcelona (represented by Lionel Messi at left) and Girona (represented by Bernardo Espinosa) are teams from Catalonia. /VCG Photo

The federation was also concerned that having two teams play an overseas game could lead to unfairness. For example, will there be additional incomes? Are these incomes "preferential financial treatment?" How do season-ticket holders watch the game? How will other clubs feel about it?

La Liga needs permission from the Spanish governing body before the US game can happen and so far, things are not looking good.

(Top picture: Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish soccer federation. /VCG Photo)