La Liga president Javier Tebas has described the cancellation of the clash between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami as a “lost opportunity” and took aim at UEFA and Real Madrid in a social media rant.
The match had been due to take place at the 65,000-capacity Hard Rock Stadium in December but the plans were met with widespread opposition from clubs, players and fans, prompting promoters Relevant to withdraw last night.
Tebas had been the driving force behind the project and failed to hide his frustration on X, hitting out initially at European football’s governing body UEFA, who made clear their opposition to the idea.
He wrote: “Today, Spanish football has lost an opportunity to advance, project itself globally, and strengthen its future.
“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, the true driving force of the European football industry, amid the naivety and passivity of European leaders who fail to distinguish the inconsequential from the essential.”
Tebas slams Real Madrid
He also dismissed the idea that the integrity of the sport would be lost by staging the game overseas in a swipe that appeared to be aimed at Real Madrid. Madrid captain Dani Carvajal had rubbished the plans as a “distortion of La Liga’s reputation”.
He added: “The ‘integrity of the competition’ is invoked by those who have been questioning that same integrity for years, pressuring referees and leaders, constructing distorted narratives, or using political and media pressure as a sporting tool.
“I want to thank Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona for their commitment and generosity in being part of a project that only sought the growth of our competition. They weren’t thinking about themselves, they were thinking about everyone.
“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.
“Spanish football deserves to look to the future with ambition, not fear. We will keep trying. This time, we came very close.”
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