The highly anticipated La Liga match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona, scheduled to take place in Miami on December 20, has been officially postponed.
Promoters Relevent made the announcement, emphasizing inadequate time to organize the event properly. A statement from Relevent, co-founded by billionaire Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross, mentioned the current uncertainty in Spain as a significant factor in their decision.
Relevent stated, “Given the current uncertainty in Spain, there is insufficient time to properly execute an event of this scale. It would also be irresponsible to begin selling tickets without a confirmed match in place.”
While Relevent referred to the match as postponed, La Liga’s statement used the term ‘cancel’ and expressed deep regret over what they deemed a detrimental development for the international profile of Spanish football.
La Liga’s official stance indicated that the ongoing uncertainty surrounding events in Spain necessitated the cancellation of the match, which was intended to serve as a historic milestone for the league’s expansion into North America. The league’s statement expressed disappointment, highlighting the missed opportunity’s impact on the internationalization of Spanish football and its ability to compete globally.
La Liga stated, “This project represented a historic and unparalleled opportunity for the internationalization of Spanish football, which cannot go ahead.”
The organization echoed concerns regarding the implications of missing such opportunities, stating that it limits clubs’ capacity to raise revenue and enhances their competitiveness in an increasingly globalized football market.
La Liga president Javier Tebas lamented the cancellation, labeling it a “missed opportunity for Spanish football,” adding that the sport in Spain had lost a chance to enhance its global standing.
In response to the cancellation, FC Barcelona released a statement expressing disappointment while acknowledging La Liga’s decision, stating, “FC Barcelona respects and accepts the decision to cancel the match against Villarreal in Miami.”
The club highlighted the wasted chance to extend the brand of La Liga in a significant market, emphasizing the potential benefits for all clubs involved.
Conversely, Villarreal issued a statement expressing discontent with the handling of the event, criticizing La Liga for not managing the situation more effectively to allow the match to take place.
Amidst this turmoil, the Football Supporters Europe group welcomed the decision, asserting that common sense had prevailed in the ongoing debate about league matches being played abroad.
In August, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) authorized the fixture to occur in Miami, which would have marked the first time a European top-flight league match was held in the US. Although, it’s worth noting that the Spanish Super Cup has taken place in Saudi Arabia in recent years.
The decision to host La Liga fixtures overseas gained momentum recently following a ruling from UEFA, which approved the staging of Italian and Spanish league matches abroad under specific conditions, although it reiterated its opposition to the concept overall.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin described the approval as regrettable, emphasizing that it should not set a broader precedent for league matches outside home territories.
Spain’s top teams, including Real Madrid, were vocally opposed to the Miami match, raising concerns about the integrity of La Liga. Real Madrid called on FIFA to impede the fixture, citing potential damage to the league’s reputation.
Glenn Micallef, the European Union commissioner for intergenerational fairness, subsequently criticized the proposal to stage the match abroad, labeling it a betrayal of local communities that support Spanish clubs.
The controversy surrounding the potential Miami match traces back to previous attempts to stage La Liga matches in the US, which faced stiff opposition from both the RFEF and FIFA.
In 2018, a proposal to play Girona’s home match against Barcelona in Miami was met with considerable backlash. Similar proposals to shift other fixtures met similar fates. It seems that, over time, relations between La Liga and RFEF have improved, but the overarching concerns regarding the integrity of the league remain.
As the news broke regarding the cancellation, it caught many, including Barcelona staff and players, off guard. Hansi Flick was in the middle of addressing the media when the announcement emerged, leaving the Barcelona team in shock.
Initial reports revealed that the communication department at FC Barcelona had not anticipated such a development. The club had previously indicated confidence regarding the match going ahead, leaving many in disbelief and confusion.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta had been vocal about the club’s intentions to play in Miami, claiming it would promote their brand in the United States.
However, when the cancellation news was confirmed, the sentiment among players shifted. Some had even begun to plan a post-match holiday in the US, reflecting the drastic change in circumstances.
Key players, including Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Frenkie de Jong, previously expressed opposition to the match being held outside Spain, supporting the protest actions of their peers.
Ter Stegen was actively involved in the players’ protest, raising the flag on concerns that such decisions could undermine competitive integrity.
The narrative surrounding the match’s scheduling and its subsequent cancellation has raised significant questions about La Liga’s decision-making processes and the pressures surrounding efforts to expand into lucrative overseas markets.
The atmosphere of uncertainty and burgeoning tensions have, at least for now, put a hold on La Liga’s ambitions to hold fixtures outside Spanish borders. The ongoing situation not only affects the profitability and visibility of Spanish clubs but also reflects larger dynamics at play within the global football landscape.
This saga surrounding Villarreal and Barcelona’s postponed match illustrates the complications and controversies that arise from football’s quest for global expansion amid concerns over local loyalty and competition integrity. Moving forward, how La Liga and associated clubs address these challenges will be pivotal as they navigate the intricacies of modern football economics.
image source from：nytimes
