The announcement that the Villarreal–Barcelona match on matchday 17 will be played on December 20 in Miami sparked outrage in Spanish soccer. The decision, endorsed by the RFEF and promoted by Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, has been branded an “aberration” and “disrespectful” by many.

Barcelona’s clash with Villarreal has moved a step closer to being played in the United States after the RFEF confirmed plans to forward a request to UEFA and FIFA to hold the game in Miami. The two sides are scheduled to meet at the Estadio de la Ceramica on December 21st in La Liga but may be jetting out to the US for the game instead.

By Fernando Kallas MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish football could finally cross the Atlantic after the Royal Spanish Football Federation approved a request for Barcelona and Villarreal to play their December LaLiga match in Miami – a move nearly a decade in the making.