Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has launched a strong critique against La Liga's decision to hold the Barcelona vs. Villarreal match in Miami on December 20, stating that it "distorts the competition". The Belgian international voiced his concerns ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League game against Juventus, echoing the sentiments of many players and clubs who believe the move undermines the fairness of the league.
Courtois argued that playing at home is significantly different from playing away, highlighting the difficulty of away games in La Liga, referencing Real Madrid's own experiences against Real Sociedad and Getafe. He emphasized that Villarreal away is a tough fixture, and changing the rules mid-season without consulting the clubs is unfair. He stated that "La Liga does whatever it wants because it suits them".
The decision to hold the match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami would mark the first La Liga fixture to be played outside of Spain and the first European league match staged abroad. While UEFA has "reluctantly" approved the plan, it has faced opposition from Real Madrid and other Spanish teams. Real Madrid has even filed two complaints with Spain's sports ministry, arguing that moving a domestic game overseas undermines La Liga's competitive integrity. The club described the decision to play the fixture in Miami as "corruption of the competition".
Courtois contrasted La Liga's plans with the NBA and NFL, who regularly play matches abroad. He pointed out that the NBA has 82 games, and the NFL's owners collectively approve such decisions. He emphasized that in La Liga's case, the decision was made unilaterally, without proper consultation. "It's easy to talk about the NFL and the NBA... Here it was the opposite,” Courtois said.
La Liga players staged silent protests during the weekend, standing motionless at kick-offs to demonstrate their discontent with the decision. However, La Liga's broadcasts often ignored these protests, instead showing wide, aerial shots of the stadiums accompanied by a banner that read "Commitment to peace". Courtois condemned this action as "censorship and manipulation," adding that it doesn't surprise him, given La Liga president Javier Tebas's behavior. He said, "[Tebas] behaves like no other sports executive I’ve ever seen. His actions on social media and in public speak volumes".
Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has also criticized La Liga, stating that the decision to play the Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami creates an unfair playing field and violates the competition's rules. "Not all clubs are competing under the same conditions," Carvajal said.
The controversy comes just days before El Clásico, where Real Madrid will host Barcelona. The Higher Sports Council (CSD) is currently reviewing the complaints, and their decision could have far-reaching effects on the league's governance and future overseas initiatives.
