The best thing one can say about La Liga's decision to stage a game in the United States this season is that the game's major powerbrokers are no longer even attempting to hide their disregard for the welfare of players or the interests of 'smaller' clubs and their supporters.
That was made abundantly clear in an incredibly revealing interview ESPN conducted with Charlie Stillitano, Executive Chairman of Relevent Sports, the company which has signed a 15-year agreement with the Primera Division's governing body.
Asked about rumours that Miami will be the venue for the chosen Liga fixture, and that either Real Madrid or Barcelona will be involved, the American explained: "Obviously we want to have a recognisable team, you know?
"If this were two or three years from now, it becomes less important. But I think it's critical that we have one of the top five or six teams that's recognisable.
"Obviously, everyone knows Barca and Real Madrid, but equally people know Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia. I think that it's got to be one of the bigger teams."
After all, who cares about the likes of Betis, Real Sociedad, Athletic Club or Villarreal? Certainly not Relevent Sports or La Liga.
Indeed, it is expected that Betis' fixture with Barca will be relocated to Florida, thus depriving thousands of fans – Betis have approximately 50,000 season ticket holders, none of whom were warned in advance about this possible loss of a marquee match – of the opportunity to see Lionel Messi & Co. at the Benito Villamarin.
Credit to La Liga and Relevent Sports, though, they haven't completely forgotten about the fans.
They would like to compensate the 'smaller' clubs and their supporters for taking a home game away from them. Not that anyone has worked out exactly how to do that just yet.
"Most likely [the US game] will be [taken from] a smaller team's stadium; it'll be a small team's home match," he confirmed. "We'll figure out different ways to accommodate the fans. We haven't decided yet.
"The other part is that we want it to be so that there's not a cup game in between so that there's a little bit of rest for the players. We're trying to respect the game. We're trying to respect the players."
Ah, the actual players. Even they have been factored into the equation.
Still, if they were hoping to show them some respect, La Liga and Relevent Sports have already failed spectacularly in that regard, with the Spanish Association of Footballers (AFE) announcing on Wednesday that they are even willing to strike over the proposed US game.
"The players are outraged, very surprised, and are all against it. It's unanimous,” AFE president David Aganzo told reporters.
"The players don't want to play overseas. Things have to be done in a more coherent way and with common sense.
"A decision of this magnitude, that affects players, referees and fans, was taken unilaterally and is a lack of respect."
Sadly, this is modern football and it will be coming to a ground near you very soon. Or taken away from one...
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