Real Madrid take major step in opposition of Villarreal-Barcelona being played in Miami | OneFootball

According to MARCA, Real Madrid have formally reported the planned La Liga fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami to the Higher Sports Council (CSD).

The decision adds yet another layer of tension to the ongoing dispute between La Liga, Real Madrid, and several other Spanish clubs over the internationalisation of the domestic competition.

While La Liga, backed by Barcelona and Villarreal, continues to push for the match to be played in the United States, most of the Primera Division clubs remain firmly against the idea and the players have shown it on the field.

As a result, Real Madrid have sent an official letter to the CSD expressing strong opposition to the December fixture, labelling it an act that “adulterates the competition.”

CSD seeks answers as debate intensifies

Following Madrid’s complaint, the CSD has requested detailed information from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding La Liga’s justification for hosting the game abroad.

In response, the RFEF has asked to review the contents of Madrid’s written statement before issuing its own report.

Real Madrid have knocked on CSD’s doors. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

It must be noted that La Liga, the RFEF, the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), and the CSD have all been operating with conflicting agendas, and Real Madrid’s intervention has added even more weight to the ongoing debate.

Plenty of debate

Several players have already voiced their disapproval of the idea. Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos, along with Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong, have publicly criticised the proposal, arguing that domestic fixtures should be played within Spain.

Despite the growing backlash, La Liga has already received approval from both FIFA and UEFA to stage the match in Miami.

Unless there is an unexpected last-minute reversal, the fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal is set to go ahead as planned.

For now, all eyes are on the CSD’s next move, as Spanish football continues to wrestle with the balance between global expansion and preserving the integrity of its national competition.