Overview
- Real Madrid has filed an appeal with Spain’s National Sports Council over LaLiga’s plan to stage Villarreal vs. Barcelona in Miami on December 20, according to Marca as cited by Le Parisien.
- Thibaut Courtois said the move “totally distorts the competition,” arguing LaLiga acted unilaterally and that Barcelona would benefit by avoiding Villarreal’s home ground.
- Dani Carvajal reiterated his opposition in comments to Teledeporte and on Instagram, calling the relocation a clear alteration of the league and alleging it breaks rules.
- Players staged brief pre‑kickoff stoppages over the weekend in an AFE‑coordinated protest against what they describe as LaLiga’s lack of transparency and dialogue, with Courtois accusing the league of limiting broadcast visibility of the action.
- The AFE has asked LaLiga to bring forward a December 24 meeting to address the issue, and despite growing pushback the December 20 Miami fixture remains on the schedule.