Barcelona Players Protest Miami Match with Delayed Kickoff
FC Barcelona players initiated their home match against Girona with a 15-second delay on Saturday in protest of LaLiga’s decision to relocate their away fixture against Villarreal to Miami. The match, originally scheduled for December 20, 2023, at Villarreal’s home ground, will now be held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with tickets expected to go on sale next week.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) announced on Friday that players would participate in a protest highlighting the league’s “lack of transparency, dialogue and coherence” regarding the Miami game. Although the AFE did not specify the nature of the protest, a similar demonstration occurred during the first LaLiga match of the weekend, where Real Oviedo and Espanyol paused for 15 seconds before resuming play.
While the AFE indicated that players from Barcelona and Villarreal could choose whether to join the protest without facing repercussions from their clubs, support for the initiative was evident. As the match at the Olympic Stadium commenced, Barcelona’s players stood still for 15 seconds, mirroring the earlier protest. Girona FC also participated in the action, pausing until play resumed.
LaLiga has been working to stage a game in the United States since 2017 and has recently gained approval from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and UEFA. While FC Barcelona and Villarreal have agreed to the relocation, several clubs in LaLiga have voiced opposition. Real Madrid has been particularly vocal, arguing that the move would provide an “undue sporting advantage” to the teams involved and set a troubling precedent.
Adding to the dissent, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong expressed his disapproval of the Miami match, echoing Madrid’s concerns that it unfairly benefits Barcelona, as the club will play on neutral ground. Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, also expressed dissatisfaction with the decision but acknowledged the league’s authority.
Following the on-pitch protests, the future actions of the AFE remain uncertain. The association’s president, David Aganzo, has indicated discussions with political parties regarding potential steps forward. While the AFE does not need to endorse the Miami game for it to proceed, the ongoing protests signal a growing divide within LaLiga regarding the fixture’s legitimacy.
As the situation develops, the implications for player solidarity and league governance could have lasting effects on the landscape of Spanish football.
