Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, has leveled serious accusations against La Liga regarding a perceived manipulation of broadcast coverage during protests this past weekend. These protests were staged against the scheduled match between Villarreal and Barcelona planned to be held in Miami.
Protests Against La Liga’s Miami Game
During various La Liga matches, teams chose to protest by delaying the start of play for the first 15 seconds. Reports indicate that these protests were not aired broadly on television. According to sources who spoke to The Athletic, La Liga had allegedly requested broadcasters to avoid showing the protests.
Courtois emphasized the seriousness of the situation during a press conference. “Hiding the protests is hiding; it’s manipulating, and it’s serious,” he remarked. He mentioned that La Liga has a history of such behavior and expressed concern over the impact of the planned match in Miami on the fairness of competition.
La Liga’s Stand on the Protests
In a letter addressed to David Aganzo, the president of the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), La Liga president Javier Tebas warned that a potential strike could cause “unwanted consequences” for the players involved. Meanwhile, La Liga and its broadcasting partner HBS, which manages match production, did not issue a response regarding Courtois’ allegations when approached.
Concerns About Competition Fairness
The planned game in Miami is set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium on October 6, with UEFA’s authorization. This match will mark the first time a European top-flight game is played on U.S. soil, moving away from its original venue, Villarreal’s Estadi de la Ceramica. Courtois argued that relocating matches undermines the home advantage and distorts competition.
- Courtois stated, “Yes, totally, it distorts the competition.”
- He drew comparisons to major leagues like the NBA and NFL, stating those leagues have different structures that allow for matches in various locations.
- Courtois insisted that La Liga’s current model does not adhere to agreements made with players and alters competitive balance.
Echoing Courtois’ sentiments, teammate Dani Carvajal expressed on Instagram that hosting the match in Miami would tarnish the integrity of La Liga’s competition.
Madrid’s Opposition and Ongoing Discussions
Real Madrid has shown consistent opposition to the Miami fixture. The club has sent two letters to the Spanish Sports Council, opposing the idea of La Liga matches being played outside of Spain. In light of these events, representatives from AFE and La Liga are currently in discussions to address the situation and determine subsequent steps.
