Barcelona, La Liga and Girona request permission to stage 2019 league game in Miami

Barcelona, Girona and LaLiga have all requested permission from the RFEF (Spanish FA) to stage their fixture on January 26 in Miami.

Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, will stage the contest in the first of a long-term agreement to stage games in the United States.

The request was made in the form of a letter, with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, Girona president Delfí Geli and La Liga chief Javier Tebas all signing on behalf of their organisations.

The RFEF received the letter on Monday evening, though no response has been made yet.

The compensation package for Girona fans is thought to have satisfied Aficiones Unidas, an association of fan clubs, which includes 1,500 free flights to Miami and 5,000 free tickets for the return fixture at the Nou Camp, in addition to money back on season tickets.

A statement from La Liga read: “FC Barcelona, Girona FC and La Liga have requested permission from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to stage the matchday 21 fixture between Girona and Barcelona, scheduled to be played on January 26, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium in a 20:45 CET kick-off.

“The submission has been made after successfully completing the first key steps with several stakeholders.

“One of the elements of the request is the compensation offered to Girona season-ticket holders, who have this fixture included in their season ticket. Aficiones Unidas (AFEPE), an association of fan clubs, has welcomed the compensation package.

“The clubs and La Liga, recently named Hnorary Ambassador of Brand Spain, also explained that they will work hand in hand with the main Spanish government institutions, as well as other federations and sports entities, to promote Spanish football and its values as a vehicle for developing the Brand Spain in North America.

“The proposed La Liga match in Miami is part of La Liga North America, a wide-ranging and long-term joint venture announced in August between La Liga and Relevent, a multinational media, sports and entertainment group. La Liga North America is targeted at promoting football in the United States and Canada.”