De Jong criticises playing LaLiga game in Miami
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has criticised plans to play a LaLiga match between his Spanish club and Villarreal in Miami later this year, saying he understood the commercial reasons but did not like the idea.
Villarreal's home fixture against Barcelona will take place on 21 December (AEDT) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, LaLiga president Javier Tebas confirmed this week, marking the first time that an official European league match will be played abroad.
"I can understand the clubs; they'll profit from it,” De Jong said about the controversial decision when he attended Netherlands' pre-match press conference before its FIFA World Cup qualifier in Malta.
“But I wouldn't have decided it myself. I don't agree with it either. It's also unfair, competitively speaking.
“We will now be playing an away match on a neutral venue. But I don't feel like anyone is listening to us," De Jong added.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin called it a "regrettable" decision to allow two European league matches to be played abroad and insisted it "will not set a precedent".
"This is one game out of the 380 that make up the season," a statement released by Tebas defending the decision read.
"LaLiga represents millions of fans around the world, including many who follow their teams passionately and deserve the chance to experience seeing them live at least once.
"This match is about bringing our football closer to that global fanbase without diminishing our commitment to those who enjoy it week in, week out in stadiums across Spain."
In February, AC Milan's Italian Serie A match against Como will be played in Perth, Australia.
