barcelona The players started Saturday’s home match against girona Kickoff delayed by 15 seconds in protest against LaLiga’s decision to host regular season matches Villarreal In Miami.
Barca were due to play at Villarreal on December 20, but the league has moved the match to the Hard Rock Stadium on the same date, with tickets going on sale next week.
Spanish Footballers’ Association [AFE] It was announced Friday that a protest by players would take place this weekend taking aim at the league’s “lack of transparency, communication and consistency” in organizing the Miami game.
The AFE did not say what the protest would entail, but at the weekend’s first LaLiga game on Friday – real oviedo versus espanyol –two teams first paused for 15 seconds,
The AFE said that Barça and Villarreal players would not be forced to join the protest, as this could put them in an uncomfortable position with their clubs, but confirmed that they were in support of the action.
However, as soon as Verona kicked off and then paused for 15 seconds at the Olympic Stadium, Barça players did the same, standing still until the away team started playing.
villarreal host real daughters Later on Saturday.
LaLiga has been trying to move a game to the United States since 2017, but is now in a position to finally pull it off after receiving approval from the Spanish Football Federation. [RFEF]Which have already staged the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia and UEFA.
While Barça and Villarreal have agreed to participate as clubs, other LaLiga teams are against the plans.
real Madrid There have been harsh critics, saying it would give the teams involved an “unfair sporting advantage” and “set an unacceptable precedent.”
Even the Barça midfielder frankie de jong Has stated that he does not support the plans, while acknowledging Madrid’s concerns that he favors Barça as they get the chance to play an away game on neutral territory.
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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has also said he is “not happy” with it, but he will respect the decision taken by the league and the clubs involved.
Following the on-pitch protests this weekend, it is unclear what further steps the AFE may take.
In principle, the federation does not need to support it for the sport to grow, but AFE president David Aganzo has supported He said he had talked to political parties Regarding subsequent actions.
