Promoter Relevent has canceled the LaLiga match between Villarreal and Barcelona scheduled for December 20 in Miami due to uncertainty from protests in Spain. The game will now take place at Estadio de La Cerámica. LaLiga regrets the missed opportunity to internationalize Spanish football.
The decision to cancel the Villarreal-Barcelona match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium came on Tuesday, during a Champions League matchday. According to LaLiga's statement, Relevent communicated its withdrawal 'due to the uncertainty generated in Spain over the last few weeks.' This uncertainty stemmed from protests by clubs and players, who opposed playing an official match outside Spain.
Players, backed by the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE), expressed their disagreement last weekend by delaying the start of Primera División matches for a few seconds after the initial whistle. LaLiga censored these protests on its TV broadcast, sparking further criticism. Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid's goalkeeper, stated: 'Hiding it, and moreover changing the reason we are protesting, is censoring and manipulating, and that is very serious.' Daniel Carvajal, the team's captain, added on Instagram: 'Mr. Tebas, breaking the regulations is adulterating the competition.'
Real Madrid sent a letter to the Higher Sports Council accusing LaLiga of 'adulterating the competition.' Javier Tebas, LaLiga's president, replied: 'What adulterates the competition are the videos from Real Madrid TV.' Relevent justified the cancellation by saying: 'Given the current circumstances in Spain, there is not enough time to execute an event of this nature properly. Moreover, it would be irresponsible to sell tickets without confirmation of the match.'
LaLiga maintained that the project 'fully complied with federative regulations and did not affect the integrity of the competition,' as ratified by competent institutions. It represented a joint venture with Relevent worth 2 billion euros over 15 years, but marks the fourth failed attempt to host a LaLiga match in the United States. Barcelona, which initially supported the plan, issued a statement accepting the decision and regretting the lost opportunity. In Villarreal, Fernando Roig Negueroles showed anger upon learning the news during the match against Manchester City, and coach Marcelino García Toral called it 'an absolute lack of respect.' The AFE celebrated the outcome: 'Footballers have demonstrated the strength they have where they know how to speak, on the pitch.'