The Camel Live team provides a detailed explanation of the La Liga overseas match issue.
Why has there been such a negative reaction in Spain? And what role did Real Madrid play in it?
Many Spanish domestic fans are opposed, but club executives are willing to go against these wishes. Javier Tebas is accustomed to fans protesting his role as La Liga president; he often gives the impression that international expansion and developing new markets are more important than catering to the views of existing local fans.
However, the player protest organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last week was another factor that caused everything to fall apart, and there was genuine anger within the teams.
Some players from Barcelona and Villarreal were originally scheduled to participate in the match, but they also believed the idea was forced through without considering their opinions.
Many La Liga players are generally dissatisfied with the match schedule, which not only increases travel and hassle but also brings more trouble to the players—while those actually participating in the match receive no benefits.
At the same time, the captains of La Liga teams are dissatisfied that Tebas failed to make time to meet with them to discuss the project. They are also unhappy that La Liga asked broadcasters not to air their protests on TV last weekend.
The biggest factor, however, is Real Madrid's opposition, and how the Miami match became embroiled in a fierce power and influence battle between Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and La Liga president Tebas.
The tense and complex relationship between Pérez and Barcelona president Joan Laporta has also recently been affected by Barça drawing closer to UEFA and gradually abandoning the long-shelved Super League project that Real Madrid strongly supports.
An industry insider, who wished to remain anonymous to defend his position, said: "If Real Madrid had aligned with Barça on this project, no one could have stopped it."
Multiple sources told Camel Live that Real Madrid formally complained to Spain's Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD, Higher Sports Council) twice, stating that La Liga had no right to move domestic matches overseas, and even raised the possibility of Tebas being suspended—this was the most important factor leading to the final decision to cancel the Miami match.
Could the plan be restarted?
As of Tuesday night, everyone involved in planning the match expected it to be held in Miami. This caused some confusion: La Liga said the match was canceled, while event promoter Relevent said the match was "postponed." However, Relevent's statement referred to the concept of "La Liga matches played in the United States," not the specific match.
There are still multiple reasons for La Liga to hold matches outside Spain in the future. In a statement, Barcelona said the club "regrets missing the opportunity to expand the competition's brand in a strategic market that has the ability to develop and create resources for the benefit of all."
La Liga also said in a statement that such initiatives are "crucial to ensuring the development of Spanish football" as it strives to keep up with the Premier League, whose broadcast contracts far exceed those of other European competitors.
Therefore, we should expect this idea to resurface. FIFA has previously stated that it will review its policy on overseas domestic matches and approve the establishment of a working group to handle the matter. FIFA is seeking a solution that can appease global football stakeholders, who often have fiercely competitive agendas.
At least before this week's events, it was expected that FIFA would consider agreeing to formulate guidelines to limit the number of matches a single competition, or even a single team, can play in a specific foreign region each year—to prevent domestic leagues like Major League Soccer (MLS) from being eroded by leagues trying to carve up market share—but any restrictions may also face the risk of antitrust lawsuits.
How much damage has this caused to La Liga and others?
Tebas is naturally the most embarrassed; he even used resources to lobby Aleksander Čeferin for the overseas match.
Laporta also knows that many of his players oppose the idea, so the often awkward relationship between Barça's dressing room and the board will not improve.
Spanish TV broadcast the angry reaction of Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles when he learned the news midway through the team's loss to Manchester City. This is undoubtedly a humiliation for him personally, and Villarreal president Fernando Roig Silvestre will also feel some harm.
