Following a recent wave of protests, LaLiga has officially scrapped its plan to host the Villarreal vs Barcelona match in the United States. Originally, the game was set to take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 21, with approval already secured from UEFA, LaLiga, and the Spanish Football Federation pending FIFA’s final decision.
However, just two months before the scheduled date, backlash began to mount, particularly from players. Last weekend, players staged a silent protest for nine seconds after kickoff in the Real Oviedo vs Espanyol match.
The Spanish Players’ Association (AFE) openly criticized LaLiga’s move, calling it unilateral and dismissive of player welfare. They argued that the decision lacked transparency and was made without any prior discussion with players.
As a result, LaLiga has decided to cancel the Miami fixture and keep the match at the Cerámica Stadium instead. The organization expressed hope that, in the future, all stakeholders can align on plans to host official matches abroad as part of efforts to promote Spanish football and its clubs globally.
