Barcelona and Villarreal slam La Liga’s call to scrap US match | OneFootball

After much pressure from the clubs and a certain part of the public, the management of La Liga made the decision to cancel the match between Barcelona and Villarreal for the 17th round in Miami, United States. The official announcement of the competition was criticized by both clubs, who see the situation as a “missed opportunity” to expand their brands.

Barcelona said it accepts La Liga's decision peacefully but reiterated that it regrets the tournament's announcement. The Catalan club also thanked its supporters and North American fans for their support.

“Barcelona respects and accepts the decision to cancel the match against Villarreal in Miami, corresponding to the 17th round of La Liga, just as it accepted and respected the decision made in the past to hold the match in the USA. FC Barcelona regrets the missed opportunity to expand the image of the competition in a strategic market with great potential for growth and resource generation for all. The Club thanks the unconditional support and affection of our fans in the USA and deeply regrets that they are denied the opportunity to watch an official match in their country,” stated Barcelona in an official note.

Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami – (Photo: KEVIN C. COX/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

“Deep Discontent”

Villarreal, on the other hand, was harsher in its words and criticized La Liga, which according to them, went against its own goal of global expansion.

“Villarreal CF wishes to express its deep discontent with LaLiga for the poor management of the organization of the match scheduled to be played in Miami against FC Barcelona on December 20, corresponding to the 17th round, which ultimately will not be played in the United States, an initiative that was born from the League itself for the global expansion of the competition,” criticized the club.

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