Barcelona’s home match against Girona on Saturday commenced with a notable delay, as players protested LaLiga’s controversial decision to relocate their upcoming fixture against Villarreal to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The match, originally scheduled for December 20, 2023, will now take place in the United States, with tickets expected to go on sale next week.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) announced on Friday that players would stage a protest this weekend, citing the league’s “lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence” regarding the Miami game. Although the AFE did not specify the exact nature of the protest, earlier that day, players in the match between Real Oviedo and Espanyol paused for the first 15 seconds as a symbolic act.
While the AFE indicated that players from Barcelona and Villarreal could choose whether to join the protest without facing pressure from their clubs, it was clear that they supported the initiative. When Girona kicked off, the Barcelona players mirrored the earlier protest by remaining motionless for 15 seconds, a gesture that highlighted their dissent against LaLiga’s decision.
The move to stage a LaLiga match in the United States has been a long-standing ambition for the league, dating back to 2017. Recently, LaLiga received approval from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and UEFA, paving the way for this controversial fixture. Both Barcelona and Villarreal, despite their involvement, have faced backlash from other clubs in LaLiga.
Real Madrid has been particularly vocal in its criticism, arguing that the Miami match creates an “undue sporting advantage” for the teams involved and sets an “unacceptable precedent.” Even Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong expressed his opposition to the plans, acknowledging concerns that playing an away game on neutral territory could favor Barcelona.
Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, also voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision but stated he would respect the league’s ruling. Following the on-pitch protest, the next steps for the AFE remain uncertain. The union does not need to endorse the Miami game for it to proceed, yet AFE president David Aganzo has mentioned discussions with political parties about possible future actions.
As LaLiga navigates this contentious situation, the implications of the Miami match continue to reverberate throughout Spanish football. The response from players, clubs, and fans indicates a deep divide on the issue of international fixtures and their potential impact on the integrity of the league.
