In a notable protest against LaLiga’s decision to host a regular-season match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami, players from both teams paused for 15 seconds at the start of their match against Girona. This act of solidarity was part of a broader movement organized by the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), expressing frustrations over the league’s “lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence” in relation to the Miami fixture, scheduled for December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium.
Barcelona’s players, despite not being officially part of the protest, chose to silently join their counterparts from Girona to show support for fellow professionals. Midfielder Pedri commented on this decision, stating, “We were not part of the [protest] but we felt that we needed to follow along out of respect for our fellow professionals.” As the match unfolded, Barcelona managed to secure a 2-1 victory over Girona, which pushed them to the top of LaLiga before Real Madrid’s game on Sunday.
The Miami match, a long-anticipated plan by LaLiga since 2017, received approval from the Spanish Football Federation and UEFA. While Barcelona and Villarreal have agreed to participate, there is significant opposition from other clubs, notably Real Madrid. Madrid expressed concerns that the match would create an “undue sporting advantage” for the teams involved, amplifying a sense of inequity in the league, a sentiment echoed by Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, voiced his dissatisfaction with the arrangement but affirmed his respect for the league’s decision. The ongoing protests have raised questions about future actions by the AFE regarding the match, as talks with political figures have already begun, indicating that the players’ concerns may lead to further discussions on the issue.
This episode reflects a growing tension in Spanish football as players and clubs grapple with the implications of international fixtures and the integrity of the league. The solidarity demonstrated during the protest underscores a collective push for a more transparent and equitable decision-making process within LaLiga.