LaLiga: Barcelona-Villarreal historic league game set for Miami - ESPN

LaLiga has confirmed its plan for Barcelona's league fixture against Villarreal to be played on Dec. 20 in Miami after UEFA cleared the way for the match to be moved to the United States earlier this week.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas said told ESPN's Fernando Palomo at the World Soccer Summit on Wednesday in Miami that the plans are «practically finalized» for Villarreal and Barcelona to face each other at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Spanish league must now submit an application to U.S. Soccer and Concacaf for final approval on playing the game in the U.S. FIFA will play no role in the decision, a source told ESPN.

If finally approved by all parties involved, Barça's match against Villarreal will become the first fixture from one of Europe's big five leagues to be played on foreign soil, copying a model which has been implemented by the NFL and the NBA in recent years.

«This match is a historic step that takes LALIGA and Spanish football to an all-new level,» Tebas added in a statement. «We understand and respect the concerns this decision may raise, but it is important to put it in context: this is one game out of the 380 that make up the season. LALIGA represents millions of fans around the world, including many who follow their teams passionately and deserve the chance to experience seeing them live at least once.

»This match is about bringing our football closer to that global fanbase without diminishing our commitment to those who enjoy it week in, week out in stadiums across Spain."

Wednesday's statement from Tebas comes after UEFA said earlier this week it had reluctantly agreed for two European league games to be played abroad, the other being the request from Italian sides AC Milan and Como to play in Perth,