La Liga has confirmed that plans to stage a league match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami have been cancelled, Afrosport reports.
The fixture was due to take place at the Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December and would have been the first European league match ever played overseas.
However, amid growing criticism from players and supporters groups — including strong comments from Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — the plan has now been scrapped.
A statement from the league body read: “Following discussions with the promoter of the official La Liga match in Miami, the latter has announced its decision to cancel the event due to the uncertainty surrounding Spain in recent weeks.
“La Liga deeply regrets that this project, which represented a historic and unparalleled opportunity for the internationalisation of Spanish football, cannot go ahead.”
Relevent Sports, the US-based organisers, confirmed the decision, citing logistical challenges and the lack of time to properly prepare for an event of that scale.
Barcelona also issued a statement saying they “respect the decision” to cancel the match, while expressing disappointment over the missed opportunity to expand the league’s reach in the United States.
“FC Barcelona respects and abides by the decision to cancel the match that would have pitted us against Villarreal in Miami corresponding to matchday 17 of LaLiga, just as it respected and abided by the decision to play it at the time,” the club said.
“FC Barcelona regrets the missed opportunity to expand the image of the competition in a strategic market with growth potential and resource generation for the benefit of all.
“The club thanks the unconditional support and affection it has received from our fans in the United States and deeply regrets that they are deprived of witnessing the official match in the country.”
The decision comes after La Liga players staged brief on-pitch protests last weekend, pausing matches for the first 15 seconds to show opposition to the plan.
Real Madrid star Courtois had earlier criticised the proposal during a pre-match conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Juventus.
The Belgian shot-stopper said: “La Liga does whatever it wants because it suits them. This decision distorts the competition.
“Playing at home is not the same as playing away. In La Liga, playing away is very difficult, as we saw against Real Sociedad and Getafe. Villarreal away is tough. It’s not fair to change the rules mid-season without consulting us.
“The NBA has 82 games, and the NFL’s owners collectively approve these decisions [to play matches abroad]. Here, La Liga acts unilaterally. It’s not the same.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin had approved the move earlier this month, along with a Serie A fixture between AC Milan and Como in Australia, though he described both decisions as “regrettable” and not to be seen as setting a precedent.
Barcelona defeated Olympiacos 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Villarreal lost 2-0 at home to Manchester City. The league match between both sides will now take place at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica as initially planned.
