LaLiga’s Miami Plan has run into a host of problems. What initially looked like Javier Tebas’s long-awaited breakthrough—finally staging a La Liga match outside Spain on the fourth attempt—has once again hit heavy resistance. The players have revolted, denouncing what they describe as a “lack of respect” and refusing to take part; Real Madrid has set the tone for other clubs and managers to voice their opposition; and the Higher Sports Council (CSD), which originally claimed it had no role in the issue, now finds itself in late August forced to review the case. Playing in Miami is proving anything but simple.
“This season is the season,” LaLiga must have thought, echoing Dexter’s famous line from the Miami-set series. The destination was set: Villarreal vs. Barcelona on Matchday 17, December 20. Perhaps, Tebas believed, this would be the campaign in which he finally exported a league match to the United States—following the lead of the NFL and NBA—in a bid to chip away at the Premier League’s dominance in North America. But if he expected a smooth ride, he’s now discovering plenty of thorns. Previous attempts (Girona-Barça in 2018–19; Villarreal-Atlético in 2019–20; and Barça-Atlético in 2024–25) collapsed under opposition from Luis Rubiales, restrictive FIFA rules, or simple lack of time. Those obstacles are gone, but new and no less serious ones have emerged.
This time, it is the players themselves who are blocking the move. The First Division captains—including those of Villarreal and Barcelona—have declared they won’t play. And without footballers, there is no football. Their frustration is not rooted solely in disagreement with the idea, though many oppose it on principle. What has truly enraged them is LaLiga’s handling of the matter: secrecy, lack of dialogue, and exclusion from decisions directly affecting their work. The players’ union, AFE, has demanded full details about the Miami project to address concerns, but LaLiga has refused to disclose them. When pressed by this newspaper, the league simply responds that it will not comment. The players, however, are not letting it slide. In a joint statement, they declared:
“Given the lack of dialogue and information provided to the players, the initiation of a project promoted by LaLiga and approved without any transparency by the RFEF Board of Directors is a lack of respect toward the players. This project involves both sporting changes and the relocation of workers outside national territory within the framework of a domestic competition. We are united. We want respect and transparency.”
The footballers are demanding answers: Why Villarreal and Barcelona were chosen, how television rights and revenues will be affected, what travel, rest, and insurance guarantees are in place. For now, LaLiga has offered no clarity.
Other clubs raise their voices
Support for the plan is thin. Only Barcelona and Villarreal have publicly backed it. Joan Laporta expressed his enthusiasm even before the RFEF submitted the request to FIFA and UEFA: “We are a club that belongs to LaLiga, and we are committed to promoting the competition. I reiterate: I am open, and Barça is at LaLiga’s disposal,” he told CNN in early August.
Villarreal president Fernando Roig also welcomed the initiative: “I think it’s a great idea that’s been in the works for four or five years. The World Cup will be held in the U.S., and the Club World Cup has already been played there. It’s a huge opportunity. If it happens, we would be the first Spanish team to play an official league match abroad against Barcelona. It would be a milestone.”
But beyond those two, criticism has poured in. Getafe president Ángel Torres blasted the project: “We’ve already complained about the World Cup being held abroad and the money being taken elsewhere, and now we’re going to do the same? I’m totally against it. The league is already adulterated with 150 players unregistered for this weekend. In Spain, you play one game at home and the other at your opponent’s ground—that’s how it should be.”
Rayo Vallecano president Raúl Martín Presa suggested that, if the league insists on staging matches abroad, it should be by lottery and for all teams equally. His coach, Íñigo Pérez, also criticised the move: “I don’t like it. Just like I don’t like playing in 38-degree heat, I don’t like taking a game abroad. But I won’t be hypocritical and call it a disgrace.”
Girona coach Míchel emphasized the importance of fans: “I play for my fans. We owe everything to them. I want them to be able to enjoy every game, no matter the opponent. For me, it’s fundamental to think of the fans.”
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay lamented the lack of consultation: “We weren’t involved in the decision, nor were other clubs. At the same time, clubs are struggling to complete squads because of the salary cap, and LaLiga wants to take on other challenges. I understand the desire to grow, but this isn’t the way.”
Real Madrid takes the fight to another level
As expected, Real Madrid has been the fiercest opponent. In a letter sent to FIFA, UEFA, and the CSD (effectively Spain’s sports ministry), the club demanded that the Miami game not be authorised:
“The measure, implemented without prior information or consultation with clubs, violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity that governs double-round competitions—one game at home and one away. It alters the competitive balance and grants undue sporting advantage to the requesting clubs.”
The letter went on:
“The integrity of the competition demands equal conditions for all teams. Changing this unilaterally breaks that equality, undermines the legitimacy of results, and sets an unacceptable precedent that risks adulterating the competition.”
At first, the CSD insisted it had no role, saying its jurisdiction extended only to international matches played in Spain. But Real Madrid’s intervention has forced the government body to reconsider whether it must step in.
Adding to the pressure, Miguel Ángel Galán has already warned that he will file a complaint with Spain’s Sports Administrative Tribunal (TAD) if LaLiga proceeds without government approval. One more obstacle in a long list now stands between Javier Tebas and his Miami dream.