Villarreal CF have expressed their anger at La Liga following the cancellation of their overseas match against FC Barcelona in the United States, describing the situation as a “complete and utter lack of respect.” The proposed fixture, set for 20 December 2025 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, would have marked the first time a European top-flight league match was staged in the U.S.

Background: La Liga’s Miami Plans

In August, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) approved the plan to move the match abroad as part of La Liga’s strategy to expand its international footprint. However, backlash quickly emerged from players, clubs, and fan groups, culminating in protests during recent La Liga matches. Players staged symbolic actions during the first 15 seconds of games to signal their opposition to the move.

Despite the initial approval, La Liga reversed the decision on Tuesday, informing Villarreal of the cancellation minutes before their Champions League clash against Manchester City. Villarreal were preparing to discuss potential withdrawal from the Miami fixture due to poor communication and organisational issues.

Villarreal’s Reaction

In a strong statement, Villarreal criticized La Liga’s handling of the situation:

“Minutes before kick-off against Manchester City, the club was notified by phone by La Liga that the match was cancelled… La Liga issued a unilateral statement announcing the cancellation during a match of such importance, demonstrating a complete and utter lack of respect for the club.”

The club had initially accepted the Miami game on the condition that season ticket holders would receive compensation for missing the match and be offered free travel to the United States.

La Liga’s Perspective

La Liga president Javier Tebas described the cancellation as a setback for Spanish football’s global ambitions:

“Spanish football has lost an opportunity to advance, project itself globally, and strengthen its future… The defence of ‘tradition’ is invoked from a narrow-minded and provincial perspective.”

Tebas emphasised that the league remains committed to pursuing international expansion while respecting the game’s roots and maintaining competition integrity.

Players and Fans React

The idea of a U.S.-based La Liga fixture divided opinion among players and clubs. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick noted that his players were “not happy” with the plan, while Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal described such a move as a potential “stain” on the competition.

Fan groups, including Football Supporters Europe, expressed strong opposition:

“La Liga’s defeat sends a clear message to the world of football: such ill-conceived projects are doomed to fail… These attempts to destabilise the foundation of the game must stop now.”

Analysis: Spanish Football Far From United

According to BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague, the controversy highlighted a lack of unity within Spanish football. While the Miami project aimed to increase the league’s global visibility, the process and communication failures created widespread backlash. Villarreal felt blindsided, and logistical concerns—including player rest periods, insurance, and financial compensation—remained unresolved.

The legal and institutional tug-of-war included Real Madrid filing a complaint with Spain’s national sports council (CSD), arguing that the overseas fixture would compromise competitive fairness. Despite La Liga’s insistence that the initiative was designed to generate long-term value for clubs, players, and fans, the plan ultimately proved premature.

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity

Villarreal described the cancellation as a lost opportunity for international growth and revenue generation. While La Liga remains committed to exploring overseas expansion, the Miami experiment underscores the challenges of balancing innovation with tradition and stakeholder interests. The aborted fixture serves as a reminder that Spanish football, despite its talent and ambition, must navigate carefully before taking bold steps into international markets.