Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has launched a scathing attack on La Liga, criticising the leagueâ€s decision to stage Barcelonaâ€s away match against Villarreal in Miami on 20 December, saying it “distorts the competitionâ€.
The fixture, which is set to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium, would be the first La Liga fixture held outside Spain and the first European league match staged abroad. While Uefa has “reluctantly†approved the plan, Real Madrid and other teams in Spainâ€s top flight have expressed their opposition.
Speaking on Tuesday before Realâ€s Champions League fixture against Juventus, Courtois accused La Liga of bypassing clubs in the decision-making process and argued that the move undermines the principles of fairness in the home-and-away league format. “La Liga does whatever it wants because it suits them,†said the Belgian. “This decision distorts the competition. Playing at home is not the same as playing away. In La Liga, playing away is very difficult, as we saw against Real Sociedad and Getafe. Villarreal away is tough. Itâ€s not fair to change the rules mid-season without consulting us.â€
Courtois also contrasted La Ligaâ€s plans with the NBA and NFL, who regularly play matches abroad. “The NBA has 82 games, and the NFLâ€s owners collectively approve these decisions. Here, La Liga acts unilaterally. Itâ€s not the same,†he said.
La Liga players staged silent protests at the weekend by standing motionless at kick-offs across all matches, symbolising their discontent with the decision. La Ligaâ€s broadcasts ignored the protests in several games, showing a wide, aerial shot of the stadiums accompanied by a banner that read “Commitment to peaceâ€.
“Hiding the protests and trying to change the narrative is censorship and manipulation,†Courtois said. “Iâ€m not surprised. [La Liga president, Javier Tebas] behaves like no other sports executive Iâ€ve ever seen. His actions on social media and in public speak volumes.â€
Real Madrid have filed two complaints with Spainâ€s sports ministry, arguing the moving of a domestic game overseas undermines La Ligaâ€s competitive integrity. The Atlético Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has also weighed in on the controversy, expressing his scepticism over the Miami fixture. “I wonâ€t believe it until I see it,†he said. “The home team loses the advantage. Their fans wonâ€t be there, and they have to travel thousands of miles. We need to respect the fans.â€
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La Liga has repeatedly defended its plan to stage matches abroad, stating that the proposal “does not distort competition or violate any rights of players, clubs or fans.â€
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