Spain's LaLiga announces agreement to play matches in North America

MADRID - The Spanish Football League (LaLiga) on Thursday confirmed an agreement that will see Spanish league games placed in the United States, with one game likely to be played in the new season which kicks off on Friday.

The agreement between LaLiga and multinational, sports and entertainment group, Relevent, is a "15-year, equal joint venture to promote soccer in the US and Canada. As part of the agreement, LaLiga plans to bring a regular season club match to the United States, the first to be played outside of Europe," explained LaLiga in a press communique.

The communique adds that the organization "will work to cultivate soccer culture in the US and Canada using the unequalled assets of LaLiga," saying "North America will be exposed to the unparalleled Spanish soccer culture, renowned for its passion, drama, history, flair and creativity."

There will also be "related activities including youth academies, development of youth soccer coaches, marketing agreements, consumer activations and exhibition matches."

LaLiga President, Javier Tebas said his organization was "devoted to growing the passion for soccer around the world. This ground-breaking agreement is certain to give a major impulse to the popularity of the beautiful game in the US and Canada."

The Spanish players union AFE, rapidly expressed their unhappiness at the agreement and have issued a statement saying LaLiga has taken the decision without "asking the opinion of the players... without thinking about the health and the risks to the players," or "the feelings" of the supporters whose clubs are "obliged to play in North America once a season."