Madrid Backs Players’ Opposition

Real Madrid will take part in the symbolic protest organized by the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) against the upcoming LaLiga EA Sports fixture set to be played in Miami between Villarreal and Barcelona.

During their match at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez against Getafe, the Madrid players will delay play for the opening seconds in solidarity with other clubs that have already joined the movement.

The initiative, which began with Real Oviedo and Espanyol in the ninth round of LaLiga, expresses widespread opposition to the league’s decision to host an official match outside Spain. “My opinion is the same as two months ago. We are against this match because it distorts the competition. There was no unanimity or consultation to play on neutral ground,” said Xabi Alonso during his pre-match press conference.

The manager emphasized that the protest is a legitimate way to demonstrate discontent among clubs that were not consulted. “These protests are positive because they show how many clubs feel. We are against unilateral decisions. If there was unanimity among all teams, it would be different, but that’s not the case,” Alonso added.

Xabi Alonso Stands Firm on Madrid’s Position

While Xabi Alonso avoided discussing more extreme actions, such as a potential strike, he reaffirmed the club’s stance. “Our position remains the same. The decisions to prevent this kind of thing from happening belong to other people, but we do not support it,” the Real Madrid coach said.

The scheduled Miami clash between Villarreal and Barcelona, set for late 2025, has sparked controversy across Spanish football. While LaLiga promotes the move as part of its global expansion strategy, many clubs and players argue that it undermines the fairness of domestic competition by moving an official fixture overseas.

The AFE has vowed to continue taking both symbolic and legal measures to challenge such decisions. “Football belongs to everyone, not just the boardrooms,” the organization stated in a recent release.

With Real Madrid—one of the world’s most influential clubs—now joining the movement, the protest gains significant weight. Sunday’s match against Getafe will mark another chapter in the ongoing debate over the balance between business interests and sporting integrity in modern LaLiga.