Spanish Super Cup expanded to four teams and will be played abroad from 2019

The Spanish FA have announced the changes, though they are still to be approved by the general assembly

The Spanish Super Cup is set to be expanded to a four-team tournament set to take place "outside Spain" according to a proposal by Spanish FA (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales.

In a move that has been seen by many as baiting La Liga president Javier Tebas, who was partly frustrated in his efforts to move a domestic league game to Miami this year by the Spanish FA, Rubiales has announced that the changes would take effect this year as the RFEF look to increase revenues.

The Copa del Rey and Super Cup are the only competitions that the RFEF administrate and thus their only access to two of the world's leading football brands, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

With this in mind, Rubiales is looking to draw out what was previously a one-on-one fixture into a longer event that can help publicise the federation's efforts.

Both finalists from the Copa del Rey will be paired with the top two from La Liga to form a four-team competition comprising two semi-finals and a final. Rubiales confirmed that this tournament will go overseas in a bid to expand the global reach of Spanish football, saying "the next Supercopa will be played outside Spain."

Barcelona are holders of the Spanish Super Cup (Getty)

While the Spanish federation have described this Final Four style competition as a "fiesta of football" it is likely to reopen the divide between Spain's FA and its top division, La Liga, whose president Javier Tebas has already chastised the proposal.

"It is just his latest brainwave," Tebas said of Rubiales. "Generating false expectations without knowing the effects it will have or if the clubs want it."

Tebas has been at war with Rubiales - and his predecessor - for years as he looks to defend the interests of a league competition looking to make global gains amid stiff competition from the Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A.

La Liga have opened a number of international offices around the world in their efforts to spread the league, but were frustrated in their attempts to move Girona's league meeting with Barca to Miami in late January after opposition from the Spanish FA, fans and the players' union.

Qatar, China and Saudi Arabia - the latter of which as already hosted the Italian Super Cup - are expected to lead the race to host an expanded Supercopa.