Spanish football federation shifts Barcelona game to Miami

MADRID: The La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona in December was moved to Miami by the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Monday, pending approval from UEFA and FIFA.

While the Spanish Super Cup has been played abroad, notably in Saudi Arabia, it would be a first for a game in one of Europe’s leading domestic leagues.

The RFEF said in a statement that it would forward the request to the governing bodies of European and world football to stage the game at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, December 20, in the last round before La Liga’s winter break.

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Separately, Man United outcast Marcus Rashford is closing in on a move to Barcelona, reports said in July.

The 27-year-old had not played for his boyhood club since December 12 till the time this story was filed in July, and has joined Aston Villa on loan in early February.

The Spanish champions have reportedly been his preferred destination since he was dropped by United manager Ruben Amorim.

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Britain’s Press Association said talks were progressing on a deal to take Rashford to Barcelona, with a season-long loan including an option to buy being worked on.

Rashford is among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford, where he came through the academy and scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances.