Real Madrid Opposes La Liga Match Between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami
Real Madrid has publicly voiced its strong disapproval regarding the decision to hold the upcoming La Liga fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona outside Spain, specifically in Miami this December. The club has formally appealed to FIFA and UEFA, urging them to reject this proposal.
Background and Context
The Spanish Football Federation recently approved the relocation of the 17th round La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona to Miami, a move championed by La Liga president Javier Tebas. This initiative aims to globalize the league’s reach and tap into the lucrative U.S. market, following similar efforts by other major sports leagues. However, Real Madrid, often referred to as “La Casa Blanca,” has expressed firm opposition to this plan.
Real Madrid’s Official Statement
In an official declaration, Real Madrid emphasized that the decision was made without prior consultation or agreement from the participating clubs, violating the fundamental principle of territorial reciprocity that governs home-and-away fixtures. The club argued that such a unilateral change disrupts competitive balance and unfairly benefits the teams proposing the relocation.
Real Madrid stated: “The integrity of the competition demands that all matches be played under equal conditions for every team. Altering this framework unilaterally undermines fairness, calls into question the legitimacy of results, and sets a dangerous precedent that could open the door to exceptions based on non-sporting criteria.”
Actions Taken by Real Madrid
To defend the principles of fairness and regulatory compliance, Real Madrid has undertaken the following steps:
- Submitted a formal request to FIFA, the global governing body of football, asking it to withhold approval for the match’s relocation unless all participating clubs unanimously consent.
- Appealed to UEFA, responsible for overseeing European competitions, urging it to instruct the Spanish Federation to withdraw or reject the proposal. Real Madrid referenced UEFA’s 2018 regulations, which prohibit official domestic matches from being held outside national territory except under exceptional and justified circumstances-conditions not met in this case.
- Requested that the Spanish High Sports Council deny the administrative permit required for the match’s organization in Miami without unanimous agreement from all involved parties.
Implications for Football Governance
This controversy highlights the ongoing tension between commercial expansion efforts and the preservation of sporting integrity. While leagues worldwide are exploring international venues to grow their fanbase-such as the NFL’s regular-season games in London or the NBA’s global outreach-football’s traditional structures emphasize fairness and equal competition conditions.
According to recent data, La Liga’s international audience has grown by 15% over the past two years, with the U.S. market showing significant potential. However, Real Madrid’s stance underscores the importance of balancing commercial interests with the core values of the sport.
Conclusion
Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to upholding national and international regulations that ensure equitable competition and the smooth operation of official tournaments. The club pledges to continue defending these principles before all relevant authorities, emphasizing that any changes to competition formats must be transparent, consensual, and aligned with established rules.
“Official Statement.”
– Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 12, 2025