Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has expressed his frustration over La Liga’s decision to play a match in Miami.
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Villarreal’s home game against Barcelona will now take place on December 20 at Hard Rock Stadium. This will be the first official European league match held outside Europe.
De Jong said he understood the financial benefits for the clubs. “I get why clubs want to profit,” he said. “But I wouldn’t have made this choice. I don’t agree with it. It is unfair from a competitive point of view.”
He added, “We are now playing an away game at a neutral venue. It feels like no one is listening to us.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin also weighed in. He called the decision “regrettable” but assured it “will not set a precedent” for future European league matches abroad.
This move is similar to Italy’s plan. In February, AC Milan will play its Serie A match against Como in Perth, Australia.