LaLiga Players Protest Miami Match Decision During Game

LaLiga players staged a protest during their matches this weekend against the league’s controversial decision to hold a regular-season game in Miami. The protest occurred during the match between Real Oviedo and Espanyol on Friday, where players paused for 15 seconds at the start of the game, expressing their opposition to the league’s plans. Unfortunately for the players, the television broadcast cut to footage outside the stadium, missing the protest entirely.

The players’ union announced that protests would take place across various matches during the ninth round of games, from Friday through Monday. This move came shortly after LaLiga confirmed that the game between FC Barcelona and Villarreal would be held in Miami on December 20, 2023. The players’ union conveyed their concerns in a statement, highlighting a “lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence” from LaLiga regarding the decision to stage games in the United States.

The union reported that captains from all 20 top-flight teams supported the protest. However, they clarified that they had not requested the participation of players from Barcelona and Villarreal, although those players reportedly share the union’s concerns. Barcelona is set to face Girona, and Villarreal will play against Real Betis on Saturday.

The decision to host a regular-season match abroad has sparked significant debate. Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, expressed his discontent with the lengthy travel involved. He stated, “My players are not happy, I am not happy, but LaLiga decided that we will play this game.” The distance to Miami is approximately 7,200 kilometers (4,500 miles), a logistical challenge for the team, especially with a winter break approaching.

Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, defended the initiative, arguing that it opens pathways to the American sports market. Yet, players like Frenkie de Jong have voiced their frustrations, citing an already packed schedule compounded by extensive travel. Barcelona also faces travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup starting on January 7, 2024.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas has championed the Miami game as vital for increasing revenues and enhancing the league’s television rights, which currently lag behind those of the English Premier League. Tebas emphasized that hosting international matches could become an annual event, asserting that it is essential for the league’s financial growth.

The match is scheduled to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. LaLiga has arranged charter flights to transport an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 fans from Villarreal, designated as the home team for this historic encounter.

As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how the players’ protests will impact LaLiga’s plans for international expansion and how this decision will resonate with fans and players alike.