Barcelona players pose for a team photo ahead of their La Liga match against Girona. (Getty Images) La Liga’s plan to move Barcelona’s December trip against Villarreal to Miami in the United States collapsed under heavy pressure in Spain this week.Why does La Liga want a match abroad?La Liga has sought to move the game to the US since 2018, when it planned to take Girona against Barcelona to Miami.This year’s attempt was as close as they could get after getting the green light from European football’s governing body UEFA and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).However, with less than six weeks to go before the scheduled kick-off, between Villarreal and Barcelona, La Liga was forced to abandon its plan.
Villarreal vs Barcelona in La Liga was scheduled to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP File Photo)
Their US promoter, Relevent Sports, said they would cancel hosting the game due to the “uncertainty caused in Spain” surrounding the match and lack of time. It left La Liga licking its wounds, with president Javier Tebas lamenting the loss of a “historic opportunity” to play the first ever overseas European league match. Tebas hoped to follow the example of the NFL and NBA in shipping their product overseas, further penetrating the lucrative North American market and “expanding the value of competition”.The players are rooting for a collapse
General view of Villarreal CF and Real Betis players standing still for the first fifteen seconds of the match as they protest the upcoming Barcelona vs Villarreal LaLiga match. (Getty Images)
La Liga players across Spain stood for the first 15 seconds of their matches last weekend in an impressive protest.It was organized by the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), who were angry that they had not been consulted about the plans and criticized the “lack of transparency and cooperation”.They said moving the game to the US violated the players’ collective bargaining agreement and further contributed to the heavy workload and travel schedule.Spanish giants Real Madrid have been particularly vocal opponents of the scheme, insisting it would “rigg” the competition and twice writing to the country’s Sports Council (CSD) asking for action.
Real Madrid player Dani Carvajal has pleaded with La Liga boss Javier Tebas not to attend the league game in Miami.
Los Blancos captain Dani Carvajal said the game in Miami would be a “stain” for La Liga, while coach Xabi Alonso also hit out at him several times.Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois criticized the players’ protest not being featured in La Liga’s broadcast of last weekend’s action, saying the league hid it behind “censorship and manipulation”.Even Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and midfielder Frenkie de Jong said they were against the game being played in Miami.De Jong admitted it “wasn’t fair in terms of the competition” as the away game will be played at a neutral ground.What does this mean?It’s back to the drawing board for a frustrated La Liga side, although it will give them a boost in the long run to come as close as they did this time. “We’ll keep trying,” Tebas insisted.However, Villarreal have been left seething over a “lack of respect” from the Spanish top flight, who announced the cancellation during their Champions League game against Manchester City on Tuesday.The Yellow Submarine also hit out at La Liga management, saying they could have resigned later this week in any case, citing logistical hurdles for which La Liga could not offer them answers.Villarreal questioned La Liga’s eligibility to host the match abroad. Other teams watching may be less interested in being a part of the future project as a result, and his credibility takes a knock.The clubs will also note the displeasure of several fan groups with the move of the match as well as irregularities in payment.Barcelona president Joan Laporta said his team would make money from the game, while Villarreal said all profits should go to their fans in the form of tickets to Miami or discounts on their season tickets if they did not choose to travel.what’s nextLa Liga and Tebas will continue to push for this to happen and have decided that playing the game abroad is the best way to grow.Meanwhile, the league is also trying to sue the AFE, according to Spanish reports, over the 15-second inactivity of the players, which they are calling a strike.Perhaps La Liga would be better off learning to foster better communication with other football bodies in the future to implement their plan.The CSD pointed out that “appropriate regulations” for this kind of game do not currently exist, something FIFA should create in the coming months.Now Italy and its top team, Serie A, can become the first European league to play abroad, with AC Milan vs Como in February in Perth, Australia.The cancellation of the La Liga game in Miami could have a ripple effect in Italy, with Football Supporters Europe fans already calling for Serie A to cancel their plans as well.
