Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has added his voice to the growing chorus of criticism surrounding the decision to play La Liga matches overseas, specifically the upcoming Barcelona-Villarreal game in Miami. The match, scheduled for December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium, will mark the first time an official European league game is played outside of Europe.
De Jong expressed his disapproval while attending a Netherlands pre-match press conference ahead of their World Cup qualifier in Malta. He stated that while he understands the commercial benefits for the clubs involved, he personally disagrees with the decision. "I can understand the clubs; they'll profit from it," de Jong said. "But I wouldn't have decided it myself. I don't agree with it either. It's also unfair, competitively speaking".
The Dutch international further argued that the game essentially turns an away match into one played at a neutral venue. "We will now be playing an away match on a neutral venue," De Jong said. He also expressed the feeling that player concerns are not being adequately considered. "But I don't feel like anyone is listening to us," he added.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has defended the decision, calling the Miami match "a historic step that takes La Liga and Spanish football to an all-new level". The league has been pursuing opportunities to play regular-season games abroad for some time, with an initial attempt in 2018 to host a Barcelona-Girona match in Miami. However, this was met with pushback from players, fans, and clubs, and the idea was ultimately scrapped.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has also voiced his disapproval of the plan, calling it a "regrettable" decision and insisting that it "will not set a precedent". Despite this, UEFA reluctantly approved the match, citing a lack of clear regulations from FIFA to block it.
De Jong is not the only player to speak out against overseas games. AC Milan's Adrien Rabiot previously described the idea of playing Serie A matches in Australia as "truly absurd". "There's a lot of talk about schedules and player health, but this all seems truly absurd. It's crazy to travel so many miles for..." Rabiot stated.
The decision to play La Liga and Serie A matches abroad has sparked controversy, with many fans and critics arguing that it undermines the integrity of the competition and disregards the traditions of European football. Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on the competitive balance of the league, as well as the alienation of local supporters.
Villarreal has announced measures to compensate season ticket holders, offering them the option to travel to the match for free or receive a 30% discount on their season tickets if they choose not to attend.
The situation remains fluid, but the growing player opposition, coupled with UEFA's reservations, highlights the challenges and controversies surrounding the globalization of European football. The outcome of the Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami will likely have a significant impact on the future of overseas league games.
