LaLiga cancels Miami match: League game between Barcelona and Villarreal at Hard Rock Stadium cancelled amid player backlash
Villarreal vs Barcelona was set to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, LaLiga confirms cancellation of fixture which would have made it the first European league match in history to be staged overseas; LaLiga players launched protests against the planned match last weekend
Wednesday 22 October 2025 16:48, UK
Plans to stage Barcelona and Villarreal's league match in Miami have been cancelled, LaLiga has confirmed.
The controversial fixture was set to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium on December 20, which would have made it the first European league match in history to be staged overseas.
But amid heated criticism, including scathing comments from Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on Tuesday, LaLiga has shelved its plans.
A statement read: "Following discussions with the promoter of the official LaLiga match in Miami, the latter has announced its decision to cancel the event due to the uncertainty surrounding Spain in recent weeks.
"LaLiga deeply regrets that this project, which represented a historic and unparalleled opportunity for the internationalisation of Spanish football, cannot go ahead."
Relevent Sports, the US-based organisers, said in a statement to Sky Sports News: "Relevent has informed LaLiga of the need to postpone the planned match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona in Miami on December 20.
"Given the current uncertainty in Spain, there is insufficient time to properly execute an event of this scale. It would also be irresponsible to begin selling tickets without a confirmed match in place."
Barcelona have released a statement, saying the club "respects the decision to cancel the match" against Villarreal in Miami.
"FC Barcelona respects and abides by the decision to cancel the match that would have pitted us against Villarreal in Miami corresponding to matchday 17 of LaLiga, just as it respected and abided by the decision to play it at the time," the club said.
"FC Barcelona regrets the missed opportunity to expand the image of the competition in a strategic market with growth potential and resource generation for the benefit of all.
"The club thanks the unconditional support and affection it has received from our fans in the United States and deeply regrets that they are deprived of witnessing the official match in the country."
Villarreal also released a statement expressing "its deep displeasure with LaLiga for the poor management of the organization of the match", adding that league bosses have handled the situation with a "lack off sensitivity and empathy".
"Villarreal CF wishes to express its deep displeasure with LaLiga for the poor management of the organisation of the match scheduled to be played in Miami against FC Barcelona on December 20, corresponding to Matchday 17, which ultimately will not be played in the United States.
"Villarreal CF regrets that LaLiga, as the organiser, did not better manage the management of the match and that the LaLiga match in Miami could not be held, as it believes it is a good opportunity for the growth of the clubs and LaLiga internationally.
"For its part, the institution will continue its policy and philosophy of continuing to contribute to the progress of the club and the competition itself."
Sky Sports News has asked La Liga for a response to Villarreal's statement.
Last weekend, LaLiga players launched protests against the league's decision with teams standing still for the first 15 seconds of matches.
Commenting on the Miami match ahead of Real's visit of Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday, Courtois said: "LaLiga does whatever it wants because it suits them. This decision distorts the competition.
"Playing at home is not the same as playing away. In LaLiga, playing away is very difficult, as we saw against Real Sociedad and Getafe. Villarreal away is tough. It's not fair to change the rules mid-season without consulting us.
"The NBA has 82 games, and the NFL's owners collectively approve these decisions [to play matches abroad]. Here, LaLiga acts unilaterally. It's not the same."
On October 6, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin had approved moving of the LaLiga fixture and also sanctioned a Serie A match between AC Milan vs Como to be played in Australia, but described the decisions as "regrettable" and that it "shall not be seen as setting a precedent".
Serie A still planning to hold AC Milan vs Como in Australia
Latest from Sky Sports News' chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
Serie A are still planning on playing AC Milan vs Como in Australia in February despite LaLiga cancelling Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami in December.
LaLiga was forced to climb down and accept their game could not go ahead after opposition from fans, players and clubs and a failure to secure approval from FIFA, CONCACAF and US Soccer.
That has had no impact on Serie A who are still planning for their game to be played 8,000 miles away in Australia, although it still needs the approval of FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation and Football Australia.
If the game goes ahead, it will be the first time a domestic European league game has been played in a foreign country.
Milan players who have complained have been told to shut up and play by Serie A.
Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot and goalkeeper Mike Maignan have expressed serious concerns about having to make the 17,000-mile round trip.
Rabiot said it was "crazy to travel so many miles" and Maignan said he totally agreed with his team-mate and could not understand why the game was being played abroad.
Serie A chief executive Luigi de Siervo has told players to keep their opinions to themselves and do what they are told.
"Rabiot forgets that, like all players, he is paid millions of Euros to play football," De Siervo said.
"He should have respect for the money he earns, complying with the wishes of his employer, Milan, who accepted and pushed for this match to be played abroad."
UEFA's executive committee "reluctantly" approved the Miami and Perth games because of the threat of legal action from promoters.
