OFFICIAL — Real Madrid launches all-out opposition to La Liga’s plan to play Villarreal–Barcelona in the United States
Real Madrid has formally and forcefully opposed La Liga’s proposal to stage the upcoming Matchday 17 clash between Villarreal and Barcelona outside Spain, most likely in the United States.
The club’s stance is built on three major pillars:
- Territorial reciprocity — All league matches are designed to be played on home or away soil, ensuring each team benefits equally from hosting privileges. Moving a fixture abroad would mean Villarreal loses its home advantage, a decision Real Madrid views as unfair and precedent-setting.
- Competitive balance — By taking a match to a neutral venue thousands of miles away, the sporting conditions are altered, potentially affecting the league standings and fairness of competition.
- Sporting integrity — Real Madrid insists the proposal risks diluting the essence of the domestic league, which is rooted in the tradition of playing within Spanish territory.
The procedural demand
Real Madrid maintains that no single fixture can be moved abroad without the unanimous approval of all clubs in the competition, in addition to strict compliance with national sports laws and international football regulations.
The multi-front strategy to block the move
To ensure the match remains in Spain, Real Madrid has initiated a coordinated action plan involving multiple governing bodies:
Direct appeal to FIFA — The club has formally requested that FIFA refuse authorization for the fixture unless every La Liga club agrees to the relocation. This leverages FIFA’s role in approving cross-border competitive matches.
Pressure via UEFA — Real Madrid has contacted UEFA to urge them to press the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to reject the request. The club referenced UEFA’s 2018 official stance, which opposed moving domestic matches abroad unless under extraordinary, clearly justified circumstances.
Intervention from the Higher Sports Council (CSD) — The club has petitioned Spain’s top governmental sports authority to deny administrative approval for the match if unanimous consent is not achieved. This body has the final say on whether such a move is permitted under Spanish sports law.
Why this matters beyond one match
This is not simply about Villarreal vs. Barcelona — it’s a flashpoint in a larger debate over La Liga’s globalization strategy. League president Javier Tebas has long pushed to take regular-season matches abroad, arguing it will expand La Liga’s international brand and revenue streams, particularly in North America. However, traditionalists — with Real Madrid at the forefront — see it as a threat to the league’s competitive fabric and a potential legal minefield.
If Real Madrid succeeds, it could shut down La Liga’s ambitions to export competitive fixtures in the near future. If they fail, it might open the door to more league matches being staged overseas, fundamentally reshaping the Spanish football calendar.