The shock of the 17th day of Laliga between Villarreal and FC Barcelona could cross the Atlantic to compete on December 20 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This decision, already validated by the Spanish Federation (RFEF), must still receive the approval of UEFA and then of FIFA to be definitively acted. It is part of the will of the president of Laliga, Javier Tebas, to internationalize the Spanish championship and to increase its visibility abroad. Financially, the operation would be particularly lucrative: according to SportBarça would pocket between 5 and 6 million euros, while Villarreal would benefit from even greater compensation in order to overcome the loss of revenue related to the ticket office.
But behind this project with a global coup, the controversy swells. The association of Spanish footballers (AFE), directed by David Aganzo, is firmly opposed, denouncing a “unilateral” decision taken by Laliga and the RFEF without consultation with players. No captain had been warned upstream, and the union, supported by the FIFPro at the international level, now requires transparent explanations on the criteria that motivated this choice. While the Spanish football institutions and players 'representatives are engaged in a tense showdown, this Villarreal-Barça may well become a symbol: that of a battle between commercial interests and footballers' rights, four months from an appointment already under high tension.
Tebas: “Clubs voluntarily asked to play this match»»
In this context, Javier Tebas was forced to speak at this weekend. Asked in the program “Tablero Deportivo” by Rnethe President of the Spanish League has maintained his project: “I am convinced that the match will be played in Miami. I am convinced that he will take place this season. It is not a priority objective. The clubs voluntarily asked to play this match. We must not forget that this is a process that clubs voluntarily start. Laliga is obviously willing to do so, and the federation has given its agreement. We must now go through the filters and procedures of UEFA and FIFA to properly start the admission process in Miami. We hope to succeed».
While the controversy swells around the possible relocation of the Villarreal – Barça match in Miami, some officials call for calm and put the extent of the debate into perspective. Asked about the question, Tebas recalled that it was not a completely new case and that the competent authorities should be expected before drawing conclusions: “The league assembly will arrive and we will see if this is a reason to debate it. A cup match between Malaga and Atlético de Madrid has already taken place in Marbella, and it was not discussed. This is my opinion. Those who expressed themselves are Fernando Roig and Barcelona, who are favorable and asked for him. We are not going to create problems before their arrival». Faced with growing criticism, Javier Tebas wanted to defend his relocation project by placing it from a broader perspective.
For the president of Laliga, it is neither an anomaly nor an attack on the integrity of the championship, but an opportunity for international opening comparable to what is already done elsewhere. As he explains: “La Liga cannot be the laughing stock of Europe, while in Italy or in France, we play abroad. The Supercup is also played out of Spain, and I don't see it as a problem. And the format has been modified. It has become a more serious problem than it is. This does not happen anywhere else. Fernando Roig said it clearly: “Either we do something, or we no longer play anything.” Then the NFL arrives and we are delighted, and if the NBA played, we would be even more delighted. This is only a match among so many others in our competition». It remains to be seen whether this Villarreal – Barça in Miami will be a global showcase for Laliga or the trigger for an unprecedented institutional crisis.
