Real Madrid star criticises Villarreal vs Barcelona being played in Miami; fires shots at Laporta | OneFootball

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has joined his teammate Dani Carvajal in criticising La Liga’s decision to hold the game between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, USA.

With UEFA giving the green light, La Liga has already announced that the match will be played in the US on 20 December, but there is a lot of opposition to the plan.

Real Madrid have been the most vocal in their opposition to the Villarreal-Barça game being held outside of Spain.

Courtois hits out

As reported earlier today, Real Madrid have written a formal letter to the Higher Sports Council in Spain (CSD) to express their concern over the development.

Los Blancos’ captain, Dani Carvajal, was also critical of the proposal, stating that it ‘adultared’ the competition.

Now, Courtois has also joined the bandwagon, echoing his club’s firm opposition to the plan.

Courtois against Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“The Miami match adulterates the competition. It’s easy to talk about the NBA or the NFL; they play a lot of games, and all the teams have voted on it,” said Courtois, as quoted by SPORT.

“Here it’s the opposite, La Liga is doing it because it wants to; moreover, it doesn’t comply with the players’ agreement. We have to play at home and away; it’s not the same to go to Miami. Villarreal are very difficult at home.”

Shots fired at Laporta

Courtois also took aim at Barcelona president Joan Laporta over his recent comments after the game against Girona, wherein he insinuated that recent refereeing decisions against the club were the work of a “white hand.”

“I think Laporta says that about the white hand because he has to say it because of the Negreira case. I’ve never noticed that they’ve favoured us, quite the opposite in fact. Referees are human, I don’t feel that they’ve benefited us,” he said.

With the Clasico just a few days away, there will certainly be added tension when Barcelona and Real Madrid face off at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.