LaLiga Cancels Barcelona vs Villarreal Miami Match Amid Fan Backlash

LaLiga has officially cancelled the highly controversial December fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal, which was slated to take place in Miami. The league’s decision follows intense backlash from Spanish football fans, players, and the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE). In a statement released on October 21, LaLiga cited “the uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the past few weeks” as the reason for abandoning the plan.

Originally scheduled for December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the match was part of LaLiga’s strategy to expand its global footprint. Despite UEFA’s reluctant approval, the idea faced immediate criticism from multiple stakeholders. Players staged a 15-second protest at kickoff over the weekend, coordinated by the AFE, emphasizing concerns about transparency, dialogue, and fairness.

LaLiga expressed disappointment over the cancellation, calling the initiative “historic and unparalleled” for the international growth of Spanish football. The league noted that hosting an official match outside Spain would have boosted global visibility for clubs and players, strengthened fan engagement in key markets like the United States, and created new revenue opportunities.

The plan was developed in partnership with sports promotion company Relevent and NFL owner Stephen Ross of the Miami Dolphins. Relevent confirmed the match had been “postponed,” citing insufficient time to execute the event properly. Logistical challenges added to the difficulty, with Hard Rock Stadium also hosting a College Football Playoff first-round game and a Dolphins NFL fixture in close succession.

Barcelona players and staff reportedly opposed the plan due to concerns about travel fatigue and competitive fairness. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong highlighted the toll long-distance travel would take on the team, describing the match on neutral ground as “not fair in terms of competition.” The team is already scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup in early January, further intensifying their travel commitments.

With the Miami fixture scrapped, Barcelona will now host Villarreal in Spain on December 21, as originally planned. The decision underscores the tension between global expansion ambitions and the expectations of fans, players, and domestic stakeholders.