Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has launched a fierce criticism of LaLiga and its president Javier Tebas over the choice to stage Barcelona’s away match in opposition to Villarreal in Miami on December 20, calling It is a transfer that “distorts the competitors.”
The fixture, set to be performed on the Laborious Rock Stadium, will mark the first-ever LaLiga match held outdoors Spain and the primary time a significant European league sport takes place overseas. Whereas UEFA has reluctantly accepted the plan, a number of Spanish golf equipment and gamers have voiced their opposition, with Courtois rising as some of the vocal critics.
Talking at a press convention forward of Actual Madrid’s Champions League conflict in opposition to Juventus, Courtois accused LaLiga of appearing with out consulting the golf equipment and ignoring the aggressive steadiness of the league. “LaLiga does no matter it desires as a result of it fits them,” he mentioned. “This determination distorts the competitors. Taking part in at residence is just not the identical as enjoying away. Villarreal away is hard — it is unfair to vary the foundations mid-season with out consulting us.”
Courtois in contrast LaLiga’s actions to these of the NBA and NFL, which often maintain matches abroad however with full approval from their groups and governing our bodies. “The NBA has 82 video games, and the NFL’s house owners collectively agreed to play overseas,” he famous. “Right here, LaLiga acts unilaterally. It is not the identical.”
Over the weekend, gamers throughout the league protested silently by standing nonetheless at kickoffs, symbolizing their dissatisfaction with LaLiga’s dealing with of the difficulty. Nevertheless, broadcasts reportedly prevented exhibiting these protests, as a substitute displaying aerial pictures of stadiums with banners studying “Dedication to peace,” a part of the league’s messaging associated to the conflict in Gaza. Courtois accused LaLiga of censorship and manipulation for making an attempt to downplay the protests. “Hiding the protests is censorship,” he mentioned. “I am not shocked. Tebas behaves like no different sports activities government I’ve seen. His public actions communicate for themselves.”
Actual Madrid, who opposed the concept because it was first proposed in August, have filed two complaints with Spain’s Sports activities Ministry, arguing that staging the match overseas damages the league’s integrity.
Atletico Madrid supervisor Diego Simeone additionally questioned the plan, saying, “The house crew loses its benefit and followers miss out. We have to respect the supporters.”
Regardless of the backlash, LaLiga has defended its determination, insisting the Miami sport won’t distort competitors or violate anybody’s rights — however tensions between the league and its gamers proceed to escalate.
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