Villarreal have accused La Liga of showing “a complete and utter lack of respect” following the last-minute cancellation of their planned league fixture against Barcelona in Miami. The Spanish club expressed frustration over poor communication and timing, saying they were informed of the decision just minutes before their Champions League clash with Manchester City.
In August, Spain’s Football Federation (RFEF) approved La Liga’s proposal to stage the Villarreal–Barcelona match at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December. The fixture would have marked the first time a top-flight European league match was held in the United States. However, after fierce opposition from players, fans, and several clubs, the plan was scrapped on Tuesday.
Protests erupted across Spain last weekend, with players refusing to move for the first 15 seconds of La Liga matches. They cited the lack of consultation over logistics, rest periods, and insurance coverage. The pressure ultimately forced La Liga to reverse its decision.
Villarreal said they had agreed to the Miami game under clear conditions: season ticket holders would be reimbursed and provided free travel to the United States. But the abrupt cancellation, they argued, was mishandled and disrespectful.
“Minutes before kick-off against Manchester City, the club was notified by phone that the match was cancelled,” a Villarreal statement read. “Minutes later, to our surprise, La Liga issued a unilateral announcement during a match of such importance, showing a complete lack of empathy and respect for the club.”
The league’s president, Javier Tebas, called the cancellation “a blow” to Spanish football’s future. Writing on X, he lamented what he described as a “provincial” mindset holding back the game’s international growth.
“Today, Spanish football has lost an opportunity to advance, project itself globally, and strengthen its future,” Tebas said. “La Liga will continue working with conviction to keep Spanish football competitive while respecting its roots.”
Despite criticising La Liga’s handling of the situation, Villarreal agreed that staging a match abroad could have been beneficial. “It was a good opportunity for the growth of the clubs and La Liga internationally,” the club noted.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick admitted his players were “not happy” with the initial plan to travel to the United States, while Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal described the idea as “a stain” on the competition’s integrity. Madrid had even filed an official complaint to Spain’s national sports council to block the move, arguing it would “violate competitive fairness.”
The controversy has exposed deep divisions within Spanish football. According to BBC Sport’s Guillem Balague, the saga highlights that “Spanish football is far from speaking with one voice.”
Players had raised practical concerns for months, seeking clarity on rest periods, pay distribution, and insurance. When no answers came, they staged symbolic on-field protests. Many clubs and supporters also questioned the fairness and financial transparency of the plan, particularly after reports suggested Villarreal would not receive compensation while Barcelona would earn appearance payments.
Fans’ group Football Supporters Europe hailed the cancellation as “a victory for common sense,” saying the opposition to La Liga’s plans had been “deafening.”
“La Liga’s defeat sends a clear message to the world of football: such ill-conceived projects are doomed to fail,” the group said.
The episode comes as other leagues pursue similar ventures. Italy’s Serie A recently announced that AC Milan will face Como in Perth, Australia, in February 2026 — a move that may test whether European fans are ready to embrace football’s global expansion.
For now, La Liga’s Miami experiment ends in disappointment — a reminder that Spanish football’s path to internationalisation remains fraught with discord and divided interests.
