La Liga censor protest against controversial Barcelona vs Villarreal game in Miami

Martin Macdonald

• 18 Oct 2025 08:02 CDT
• 3 min read

News

La Liga bosses have silenced a planned protest from Spanish football fans against the controversial plans to host Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami.

For this round of top-flight fixtures in Spain, players will hold a 15-second silent protest at the beginning of each match, not completing any actions on the pitch during that time.

The first match back from the international break saw Real Oviedo take on Espanyol on Friday. But, when the protest was staged, broadcast cameras cut away from the pitch so those viewing on television were unable to see.

It was a clear censoring from the Spanish football authority.

Barcelona and Villarreal, the two clubs involved in the abroad fixture, will not take part in the protest but will respect the teams who do.

The match, set to take place on 21st December, will be the first La Liga fixture in history not to take place in Spain.

The controversial proposals had been generating traction over the last few months and supporters are naturally furious as not only will the two teams receive a cash injection that other clubs won't, but the sporting repercussions mean that the balance of home and away fixtures in La Liga is now skewed.

UEFA announced opposition to the plans, but ultimately passed the buck to FIFA for the final decision.

Barcelona, La Liga and Villarreal subsequently confirmed that the match was happening, and they will both receive around €6 million, though the Yellow Submarine will also be compensated for a loss in ticket revenue as it is officially their home fixture.

In addition to this Spanish match, plans were recently put in place for Milan to face Como in a Serie A fixture in Perth, Australia.

Football figures oppose abroad fixture plans

Various figures in football have spoken out against the plans, including two players who will be involved in the aforementioned games. Here's what they've had to say...

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick: “My players are not happy, I am not happy, but La Liga decided that we will play this game."

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong: "I don't like us going there, and I don't agree with it.

"It's not fair for the competition and I don't think it's right for the players given the long flight."

"For the clubs, it's about expanding their brand globally. That's probably what it's all about. We always complain about the match schedule and the excessive travel.

"The clubs are going to get paid for this, but I don't agree with playing a league game in Miami. I understand that other clubs don't agree."

Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot: “I was surprised when I learned that AC Milan and I will be playing a Serie A match against Como… in Australia! It’s completely crazy.

“These are financial agreements to give visibility to the league, things that are beyond us. There’s a lot of talk about schedules and player health, but this all seems truly absurd. It’s crazy to travel so many miles for a match between two Italian teams in Australia. We have to adapt, as always.” (Le Figaro)

Former Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman: "It doesn't make any sense. It's ridiculous. Frenkie gives a good explanation. It's not fair. Villarreal-Barcelona is always a difficult away game for Barca, and now they're playing it on a neutral ground. There are more Barcelona fans in the stands than Villarreal fans. So it's not fair either."

Spain international Unai Simon: “Villarreal and Barca have put money ahead of their fans. This harms the fans and adulterates the competition. Barca won’t play on a neutral field in Miami because more than half of the stadium will be Barca’s.”