La Liga players took a stand against the league’s controversial decision to hold a regular season game in Miami. This first protest occurred on a Friday but was not broadcasted as anticipated. The initial moments of the match between Oviedo and Espanyol saw players pause for 15 seconds, symbolizing their discontent with the plans for international games.
Protests by La Liga Players
The Spanish soccer players’ union announced that these protests would take place in games throughout the ninth round, scheduled from Friday to Monday. The union emphasized the players’ collective disapproval of La Liga’s approach, which they described as lacking transparency and dialogue regarding the Miami game.
Details of the Miami Game
- The match in question involves Barcelona facing Villarreal on December 20.
- Union representatives confirmed all 20 teams’ captains support the protest.
- Despite this, participation from Barcelona and Villarreal players was not formally requested.
Barcelona’s Reaction
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed dissatisfaction about the long travel distance of 7,200 kilometers (4,500 miles) for a regular season fixture. He noted that neither he nor the players were pleased, stating it was a decision imposed by La Liga.
Club president Joan Laporta defended the move, citing it as an opportunity to enhance the league’s presence in the American sports market. Conversely, midfielder Frenkie de Jong voiced concerns about the intensified travel demands and a congested match schedule.
La Liga’s Perspective
La Liga president Javier Tebas has robustly supported the initiative, arguing that hosting games abroad is essential for increasing revenue and improving television rights value. He revealed plans to make international matches an annual occurrence, with the Miami game set for Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
The league plans to facilitate travel for 2,000 to 3,000 Villarreal fans to this event. Despite previous attempts to host a game outside Spain, success remained elusive until now. If successful, this event would mark a historic moment for La Liga as it becomes the first major European league to hold a match in a foreign location.
Future Plans
La Liga’s ambitions for international games align with trends seen in other leagues, such as Serie A, which is contemplating relocating a match to Australia. These developments indicate a growing push within soccer to reach global audiences and bolster financial prospects.
