Proposed US LaLiga game ridiculed

(AP):

A regular-season LaLiga game is going to the United States, possibly as early as this season, with Real Madrid or Barcelona potentially involved but unlikely to be playing each other.

The league said on Thursday it is planning to play a match across the Atlantic as part of a new 15-year partnership with sports and entertainment group Relevent to promote football in North America. A move that could boost LaLiga's image abroad but which also sparked criticism from Spain's players' association.

US Soccer, which would have to approve any foreign league playing matches on its territory, discussed the approach from Spain around a board meeting on Thursday. FIFA would have the final say on domestic competitions playing matches in another country.

There is no decision to be taken yet because the league has provided few details on the planned regular-season game in partnership with Relevent. The group operates the International Champions Cup, a tournament played in the European off season in July and August across the globe.

Barcelona and Real Madrid faced each other in the tournament in Miami last year. League president Javier Tebas has already dismissed the possibility of taking 'El Clasico' between Real Madrid and Barcelona away from Spain.