Khaberni - The Spanish League "La Liga" announced the cancellation of the project to hold the official match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, United States, after the promoting company informed the league of its decision to stop organizing the event, due to the uncertainty that Spain experienced in the recent weeks.
La Liga expressed deep regret in an official statement for canceling this step, affirming that staging the Barcelona and Villarreal match outside Spanish territory was a historic and unprecedented opportunity to enhance the internationalization of Spanish football and expand its global presence.
The league explained that this match would have been a pivotal step in supporting the international spread of clubs and players, and enhancing the brand value of the Spanish League in a strategic market like the United States.
The statement confirmed that the project was fully compliant with the laws and regulations governing the championship, and would not have affected the integrity of the competition or the equality of opportunity among all clubs, as confirmed by the specialized sports institutions, despite their objections to holding the match for reasons unrelated to the organizational side.
La Liga warned that rejecting such initiatives in the context of growing global competition impedes development and growth opportunities, especially at a time when major championships like the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League continue to expand their influence and increase their financial resources globally.
The league indicated that losing such opportunities diminishes the Spanish clubs' ability to increase their revenue and enhance their investment and competition capabilities at the highest levels.
In concluding its statement, La Liga thanked Barcelona and Villarreal for their readiness and cooperation in making the project a success, reaffirming its commitment to continuing the work on promoting Spanish football globally, and establishing a modern and competitive vision that benefits the clubs, players, and fans.
La Liga had announced weeks ago that the match would officially take place after both clubs agreed, and it was scheduled for December 20.
Concerns Over Expanding La Liga's Global Presence
Although the idea has been controversial since it was first proposed in 2018, Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, insisted on proceeding with the project, which he sees as part of a long-term strategy aimed at expanding La Liga's global presence.
Tebas said in his statements: "I have no fear of other championships coming to play in Spain, whether it's the Premier League or others. We believe in competitiveness and openness. What we are doing today is a step toward the future, to broaden our fan base globally."
Tebas stated that hosting the match in Miami would bring multiple benefits not only for the Spanish championship but also for the American city that would host the event.
He confirmed: "We will be in Miami four or five weeks before and after the match, and we will launch a series of events to acquaint the American fans with everything La Liga offers, from our social programs to initiatives supporting people with special needs, in addition to participation of club ambassadors in fan activities across several U.S. cities."
Tebas also noted that this event would not just be a single match, but the beginning of a comprehensive path towards building a sustainable relationship between La Liga and the U.S. market, which is one of the largest sports markets in the world.
He explained: "The goal is to bring Spanish clubs closer to fans in North America, and enhance the brand value of La Liga globally."
Villarreal Decides to Compensate Its Fans
For its part, Villarreal issued an official statement confirming its full agreement to transfer the match to the United States, with a commitment to take all necessary measures to compensate its local fans.
The statement read: "La Liga confirms its commitment to its fans in Spain. The match will be broadcast live through official channels, with additional content provided for a more interactive viewer experience."
The statement also added that the league and the Yellow Submarine club agreed on a package of compensations for the team's fans affected by the transfer of the match from their stadium, as Villarreal will cover the travel costs for fans wishing to attend the game in Miami for free, while subscribers who decide not to travel will receive a 30% discount on the value of their season subscription, as a gesture of appreciation for their support and loyalty."
The statement also mentioned that the weeks preceding the match would include promotional events in several American cities, where interactive activities for fans will be presented to learn about the history of La Liga, its clubs, and its legends, along with opportunities to meet former players and official ambassadors of the championship.
It was expected that the match would attract huge global media attention, as it represents a historical precedent in Spanish football, and opens a new phase in marketing local championships beyond their traditional borders.
Also, choosing Barcelona to participate in this event adds additional momentum, given the club's large fan base in North and South America, especially in the United States.
