The Barcelona squad commenced their Saturday contest against Girona at their home stadium with a quarter-minute delay from the initial whistle, demonstrating opposition to LaLiga’s choice to host their regular-season game against Villarreal in Miami.
Barça were initially scheduled to play away against Villarreal on Dec. 20. Nevertheless, the league has chosen to move the game to the Hard Rock Stadium for the same date. Tickets are slated to be available for purchase next week.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association [AFE] made public on Friday that a demonstration would be performed by players during the weekend, expressing disapproval of the league’s “insufficient clarity, communication, and consistency” concerning the Miami game’s organization.
The AFE did not specify the type of protest, but on Friday, during the first LaLiga match of the weekend — Real Oviedo versus Espanyol — both teams stood motionless for the opening 15 seconds.
According to the AFE, Barça and Villarreal players were not obligated to participate in the demonstration, recognizing potential unease within their respective clubs. However, they affirmed their endorsement of the action.
In the actual game, when Girona started and momentarily stopped for 15 seconds at the Olympic Stadium, Barça’s players mirrored their actions, remaining stationary until the visiting team resumed playing.
A concluding goal from Ronald Araujo enabled Barcelona to triumph over Girona with a score of 2-1, positioning Hansi Flick’s squad at the LaLiga summit, preceding Real Madrid’s match on Sunday.
LaLiga has actively pursued the concept of staging a game in the United States since 2017, and now it appears that it will finally materialize, having secured approval from the Spanish Football Federation [RFEF], which already organizes the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia, as well as from UEFA.
While Barça and Villarreal, as clubs, have consented to involvement, alternative teams within LaLiga express disagreement with the plans.
Real Madrid has emerged as a vocal critic, asserting that it would “confer an unwarranted sporting advantage” upon the participating teams and “establish an unacceptable precedent.”
Even Barça midfielder Frenkie de Jong has voiced his opposition to the strategy, acknowledging Madrid’s apprehensions that it benefits Barça by granting them an away game on neutral territory.
Barça coach Hansi Flick has also commented that he is “not pleased” with the situation but will honor the judgment made by the league and the clubs involved.
Following the weekend’s on-field demonstrations, the potential future measures to be implemented by the AFE remain uncertain.
In principle, the union’s approval is not mandatory for the game to proceed. However, AFE president David Aganzo has indicated discussions with political parties regarding potential subsequent actions.
