Real Madrid has generated controversy after expressing its firm opposition to the possible match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona, which is scheduled to be played in Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) on December 20 or 21. This proposal already has the approval of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and was sent to UEFA for evaluation, but the Merengue team has come forward with an official statement.

In its informative note, the White team expresses its disagreement with the decision to move a match of LaLiga EA SPORTS 2025/26 outside of Spain, especially in such an important duel for both teams. This calls into question the territorial essence of the competition.

Real Madrid shows its rejection of Villarreal and Barcelona playing in Miami

The statement begins as follows: "Real Madrid C. F. wants to express to its members, supporters, and fans in general its firm rejection of the proposal to play the match corresponding to matchday 17 of the National First Division League Championship between Villarreal C. F. and F. C. Barcelona outside of Spain."

The Merengue note highlights the main reason for the disagreement, focused on defending the locality of the Groguet team, which should play the match in its Estadio de La Cerámica in front of its fans, and not on neutral ground:

"The measure, promoted without prior information or consultation with the clubs participating in said competition, violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity that governs leagues with a double round-robin format (one match at home and one away), altering the competitive balance and granting an undue sporting advantage to the applicant clubs."

Real Madrid's arguments against the alteration of the calendar in LaLiga

The Whites insist that holding this duel outside of Spain could mean a distortion of the competition, since:

"The integrity of the competition requires that all matches be held under the same conditions for all contenders. Unilaterally modifying this regime breaks equality, compromises the legitimacy of the results, and creates an unacceptable precedent, opening the door to exceptions motivated by interests unrelated to the strictly sporting aspect, directly affecting the integrity of the tournament," it continued.

"Unilaterally modifying this regime breaks equality, compromises the legitimacy of the results, and creates an unacceptable precedent"

Likewise, the Madrid team also warns about the serious consequences that the approval of this proposal would have:

"If carried out, its consequences would be of such magnitude that it would mark a before and after for the world of football"

Similarly, the text recalls the importance of unanimity and regulatory compliance in these cases:

"Any change of this nature must have the express and unanimous agreement of all participants, in addition to strictly respecting the national and international regulations that govern official competitions," it warned.


Madrid challenges the holding of this match before FIFA, UEFA, and CSD

In alleged defense of this principle, Real Madrid has already carried out three specific actions:

  1. Request to FIFA so that, as guarantor of the international rules of football, it does not authorize the holding of the match without the prior consent of all the clubs participating in the competition.
  2. Request to UEFA so that, as guarantor of the integrity of European competitions and of regulatory coherence with FIFA, it urges the RFEF to withdraw or deny the request, reaffirming the criterion established in 2018 that prevents playing official matches of domestic competitions outside the national territory, except for duly justified exceptional circumstances, which do not occur here.
  3. Request to the Superior Sports Council so that it does not grant the necessary administrative authorization without said unanimous consent.

Finally, the Merengues maintain that: "Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to respecting the national and international rules that guarantee the fairness and proper functioning of official competitions, and will defend its compliance before all competent authorities," it concluded.