Villarreal vs FC Barcelona in Miami: Players prepare a wave of protest | OneFootball

Villarreal vs FC Barcelone

In Spain, the relocation of the match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona to Miami is set to spark protest actions.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) announced in recent hours a symbolic protest action that will take place during all matches of LaLiga's 9th matchday. This initiative, backed by the captains of the First Division clubs, aims to denounce the lack of transparency, dialogue, and consistency from LaLiga's organization regarding the project to relocate the match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona to the United States.

This project, discussed in recent weeks, would see a Spanish league match played on American soil, with the aim of promoting Spanish football internationally. The move is far from unanimous, especially among the main stakeholders: the players themselves, who feel they have been left out of the discussion. As a sign of protest, players from each club will perform a symbolic gesture at kickoff during their matches this weekend. The AFE wants to make the players' voices heard and denounce what it considers a complete lack of dialogue between LaLiga's governing bodies and the professionals on the pitch.

In its statement, the union expressed its firm opposition to holding an official match outside Spanish territory without prior consultation and without sufficient guarantees for the players. It is also demanding the establishment of a negotiating table to discuss the legal, logistical, and sporting aspects of such a project, as well as the repercussions on players' working conditions.