
24 January 2022 - 4:50 PM
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Alamy | Real Madrid celebrate after winning the Spanish Super Cup in Riyadh
LaLiga continue to pursue overseas games despite FIFA blockage
- “A match in the US doesn't harm the local leagues, doesn't do any damage locally. This is just bringing all these big competitions to all these different countries,” says leading LaLiga executive.
- LaLiga was blocked from staging a Barcelona game in the US in March 2020 by the Spanish FA and FIFA. But LaLiga Executive Director Óscar Mayo says they haven’t given up.
- Why it matters: Some “Big 5” Leagues have identified overseas matches as key to growth. FIFA and local leagues remain opposed.
- The perspective: Despite La Liga’s commercial revenue growing at nearly double the rate as the Premier League in the past five years, it has started to stagnate. It needs new markets to accelerate growth.
LaLiga has not given up plans to play regular season games overseas and says that it is engaged in an “open process” with the Spanish FA and FIFA to be allowed to do so, as it seeks to further internationalise its audience.
FIFA and the Spanish FA blocked LaLiga’s attempts to play a game between Barcelona and Girona in Miami in March 2020, and last month a Madrid court rejected its appeal of that decision.
“The short and clear answer is yes, we're going to continue t
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