LA LIGA has cancelled its plan to hold the Villarreal versus Barcelona match in Miami this December because of uncertainty about the game within Spain.
The Spanish top flight announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday, ending the possibility of the first European league fixture being played abroad.
Champions Barcelona were scheduled to face Villarreal at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on December 20 in what would have been a historic overseas league match.
La Liga said their promoter for the match decided to cancel the event organisation because of uncertainty generated in Spain in recent weeks.
The league organisation expressed deep regret that the project, which represented a historic opportunity to take Spanish football internationally, cannot proceed.
Tickets for the game were due to become available on Tuesday but organisers said the presale was delayed before the plan was completely scrapped.
The match will now be held at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica home ground as originally scheduled.
Barcelona released a statement saying they respect and accept the decision to cancel the Miami match, just as they accepted the decision to play when it was made.
The Catalan club regretted the lost opportunity to expand the competition’s image in a strategic growth market like the United States.
Barcelona also expressed disappointment that US-based fans will be deprived of witnessing the game in person.
La Liga published their cancellation statement during Villarreal’s Champions League defeat by Manchester City.
Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral criticised the timing as an absolute lack of respect to put out a statement at half-time of a game.
He called it a lack of respect to club directors, the club itself, professionals, and fans, adding that Villarreal would issue their own statement on Wednesday.
The plan to hold the match in the United States faced criticism from various parties in Spanish football.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association organised protests last weekend with players from every team not moving for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.
Real Madrid opposed the plan institutionally, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saying it would adulterate the competition.
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal told La Liga president Javier Tebas that holding the game abroad would be a stain on the competition.
La Liga has been attempting to hold a match abroad for several years, with this being their closest attempt after UEFA granted permission.
UEFA stated they oppose games being played overseas but would allow it exceptionally, along with a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como scheduled for Australia in February. – AFP
