Football news - Real Madrid 'will refuse' to play in the USA

Perez said: "We will not go to the United States, I do not know who it interests, but it is not in the interests of the club and the fans... we refuse categorically."

He had earlier criticised La Liga's decision to stage Barcelona v Girona there, describing himself as "flatly against it".

This follows the players' union president David Aganzo responding to the August announcement by saying: "The captains [of the Liga teams] are surprised and angry that such an important decision was taken without being consulted. The players are unanimously against this, no one is in favour of it."

La Liga president Javier Tebas has spoken on many occasions about his desire to play regular season games outside of Spain and mimic the NFL's highly successful policy of playing official games in London since 2007.

"We're 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 U.S. and Canada," Tebas said.

"Relevent [the media organisation] has filled stadiums across the US with the International Champions Cup; we're thrilled to partner with them on a joint mission to grow soccer in North America."