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Barcelona news: Barca legend Rivaldo SLAMS American La Liga match, potential solution
BARCELONA legend Rivaldo has slammed the decision to play a La Liga match in America and revealed how the players can stop it happening.
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It’s been revealed that it’s ’90 per cent’ likely that January’s clash between Barcelona and Girona will be played across the Atlantic.
The clash would be considered a home match for Girona, though many are against the idea of moving a domestic game abroad.
La Liga announced a 15-year joint venture with Relevant Sports earlier this summer which would see at least one league match a season played in either America or Canada.
The Catalan derby will supposedly be hosted at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami - the home of NFL side the Miami Dolphins.
But Rivaldo, who won two La Liga titles during his five years at the Nou Camp, believes the players get the final say over where the match will be played.
“In my opinion, the decision to play La Liga matches in the USA is already a serious issue that raises lot of questions,” Betfair ambassador Rivaldo said.
“I think that taking games to the US is wrong and seriously damages Spanish fans and players and most of the fans won't be able to attend the game.
“Now with Girona v Barcelona, a Catalan derby, being played abroad I expect controversy as the situation with Catalonia/Spain is clearly delicate and I think should be kept in Spain and not taken abroad.
“This match won't help to bring peace to this political issue, quite the opposite.
“I believe that all the players are against this American event, and they should be allowed to choose if they want to play there or not. It shouldn't be down to one or two people.
“For that reason, I think that if they reach an agreement not to play, there is no alternative and the game doesn't go ahead.”
Luis Rubiales, the president of the Spanish FA, has also strongly criticised the plans.
“(Javier) Tebas (La Liga president) spoke to everyone except the people he had to speak to,” Rubiales told the Guardian.
“It’s a total lack of respect, unfaithful and incomprehensible.
“He has totally ignored the players and even the clubs. His behaviour was terrible but very much like Tebas: very much lacking in respect.
”He has signed an agreement that it is not up to him to sign. It means nothing without our authorisation, so we’ll see what happens to this game.”