LaLiga has decided to cancel plans for a regular-season match set to take place this December between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami, the league announced on Tuesday.
A brief statement from LaLiga indicated that the decision was made by Relevent, the league’s North American partner, due to the backlash in Spain regarding the hosting of a league match abroad.
“After discussions with the event promoter in Miami, they have decided to cancel the organization of the match due to the uncertainty created in Spain in recent weeks,” LaLiga stated.
“LaLiga is disappointed that this project, which represented a historic opportunity to internationalize Spanish football, cannot proceed.”
“Holding an official match outside our borders would have been a crucial advancement in expanding our competition globally, enhancing the international profile of clubs, players, and the Spanish football brand in a key market like the United States.”
“The initiative complied with all federation regulations and did not compromise the integrity of the competition, as confirmed by the relevant institutions overseeing compliance, which opposed it for other reasons.”
Relevent further confirmed, “We have informed LaLiga of the need to postpone the scheduled match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami on December 20.”
“Given the current uncertainty in Spain, there is not enough time to adequately prepare an event of this magnitude. It would also be irresponsible to start selling tickets without a confirmed match.”
Tickets for the match, intended to be held at Hard Rock Stadium, were set to go on sale this week.
On Tuesday, LaLiga announced a delay in the presale ticket sales, attributing the hold-up to a technical issue.
The plan faced opposition from LaLiga players, who protested last weekend, as well as from fan groups and Real Madrid, which urged FIFA, UEFA, and Spain’s Sports Ministry (CSD) to halt the plans.
The match between Villarreal and Barcelona was set to be the first regular-season game from one of Europe’s Big Five leagues to be played on foreign soil.
Italy‘s Serie A is set to play a fixture between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia, in February.
Barcelona expressed its “deep regret” over the cancellation of the game.
“Barcelona respects and accepts the decision to cancel the match against Villarreal in Miami, just as it respected the earlier decision to schedule it,” the Spanish champions stated.
“The club laments the lost opportunity to promote the competition in a strategic growth market that could generate resources for the benefit of all involved.”
“The club is thankful for the unwavering support and affection shown by our fans in the United States and deeply regrets that they will miss the chance to witness an official match in their country.”
Villarreal coach Marcelino García Toral criticized the timing of LaLiga’s announcement, which occurred during his team’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League.
“For me, it shows a complete lack of respect to issue a statement at half-time of our game about something that was planned but is now not happening,” Marcelino stated during a news conference.
“It’s disrespectful to the club’s directors, the club itself, the professionals, and the fans.”
“Tomorrow the club will release an official statement, but these are my views at this moment.”
On Tuesday, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois became the latest player to voice opposition to the Miami match, asserting it would “significantly affect the integrity of the competition.”
Earlier in the month, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong stated that the plan was “not beneficial for players,” citing travel fatigue and fairness issues, while coach Hansi Flick acknowledged the team was “not happy” with the arrangements.
Last weekend, players paused for 15 seconds at the start of each LaLiga match as a protest against what players’ union AFE described as a “lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence” in the planning of the Miami match.
The confirmation of the Villarreal vs. Barcelona match in Miami was announced earlier this month, with LaLiga president Javier Tebas calling it a “historic step” aimed at connecting the league with its global fanbase.”
The league has sought to organize a regular-season match in the United States for some time, with its first proposal involving a game between Girona and Barcelona during the 2018-19 season.
Initially, the plan faced opposition from the Spanish football federation and U.S. Soccer, though that resistance has since diminished.
This month, UEFA acknowledged its “reluctant” decision to approve the Miami game, stating its clear reluctance toward domestic league matches being hosted outside their home countries while noting FIFA’s existing rules on the matter lack clarity and detail.
Real Madrid had previously labeled the Miami match an “unacceptable precedent” and urged the CSD to deny authorization for the event “without unanimous consent.”
While the CSD had yet to release any official statement regarding the match, Spanish government ministers expressed their concerns about the proposal.