Marcus Rashford joining Barcelona from Manchester United on a season-long loan this summer transfer window now coincides with an unprecedented move from LaLiga.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona gestures during the Joan Gamper Trophy match between FC Barcelona and Como1907 at Estadi Johan Cruyff
Marcus Rashford could be part of a historic moment later this season
(Image: Getty Images)
Barcelona appear closer than ever to playing a LaLiga match in the United States after receiving approval from the Spanish football federation.
They and Villarreal have requested that their game later this year take place in Miami rather than at Estadio de la Cerámica. Should that happen, it will be the first time one of Europe's 'big five' leagues holds a match outside their borders.
Marcus Rashford would also have the chance to be involved in that historic occasion after joining the Catalan club on loan from Manchester United this summer transfer window. FIFA, however, must authorise the move first.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation released a statement on Monday that reads: "After receiving and checking the documentation received, and after the approval of the board of directors, the RFEF will submit to UEFA the request to begin the procedures for the subsequent authorisation by FIFA for the match to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20, 2025, in accordance with the FIFA international match regulations and the implementing rules approved by the RFEF."
Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League, stated last April that they had no plans to move matches abroad, but acknowledged that FIFA's review of the rules left the "door ajar" for other leagues to do so.
FIFA initially announced that amendments to its authorisation rules for overseas matches were under consideration as part of a settlement with Relevent Sports during a US court case in April last year. The following month, FIFA established a working group to "consider a revised legal framework" governing the authorisation of overseas matches.
Fan organisations linked to Barcelona and Villarreal published a statement on social media with the Spanish football supporters' association (FASFE). They declared their desire to "express our absolute, total and firm opposition" to staging the fixture abroad.
FASFE called upon the Spanish football federation and the national sports council (CSD) to "stop this madness". The supporters' groups concluded their statement by cautioning that, should the proposal proceed, they would "take appropriate legal action to prevent it".
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