UEFA has reluctantly approved a proposal to stage a LaLiga game between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, the governing body said on Monday.
It said it was in “clear opposition” to the idea of playing domestic league games outside their native countries, but added that it had approved two requests — one from LaLiga, and another from Serie A involving AC Milan and Como — citing FIFA’s vague framework.
UEFA had previously been delaying its decision on whether a Villarreal-Barcelona clash could be held at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 21 or Dec. 22, while Milan and Como had a similar plan to face each other in Perth, Australia, in February.
The final decision on staging these matches will now pass to FIFA, which is still in the process of finishing new regulations.