"The cancellation of the overseas La Liga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in the United States is a blow for the competition, says the Spanish league's president Javier Tebas. In August, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) approved plans to move Villarreal's fixture against Barcelona to Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December. However, the decision was reversed on Tuesday after the move sparked a backlash, with top-flight players refusing to move for the first 15 seconds of La Liga matches last weekend in protest."
""The defence of 'tradition' is invoked from a narrow-minded and provincial perspective, while the true traditions of European football are threatened by decisions by the governing institutions, which year after year destroy national leagues. "La Liga will continue working, with rigour and conviction, to keep Spanish football competitive, standing up to those who seek to destroy it, but always respecting its roots and ensuring its sustainability.""
The Spanish football federation approved moving Villarreal's fixture against Barcelona to Miami's Hard Rock Stadium for 20 December. The decision was reversed after backlash and a player protest where top-flight players refused to move for the first 15 seconds of matches. League president Javier Tebas called the cancellation a lost opportunity to project Spanish football globally and defended attempts to stage matches overseas while respecting traditions. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his players were "not happy" with the initial plan. Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal described an overseas game as a "stain" on the competition. The cancellation would have been the first European top-flight match in the United States.
Read at www.bbc.com
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