Barca Miami match ‘rigged’ La Liga: Courtois from Real Madrid

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on Tuesday that the plan to bring Barcelona’s La Liga match against Villarreal to Miami «distorts» competition.

La Liga announced it would move the match to the United States in December, which will be the first European League match played abroad.

«It totally distorts competition,» Courtois told a news conference.

“It’s easy to talk about the NFL and the NBA (moving locations), they have 82 games and it doesn’t change anything for them, and in the NFL it’s voted for by the owners of the teams…

«Here’s the opposite… they decided to do it and it distorts the competition.»

Courtois said Barcelona would gain an advantage by meeting Villarreal in a neutral stadium, rather than a normal away match.

“Villarreal away is a difficult match… everyone should play home and away, barring force majeure.”

The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) staged protests against the rescheduling of the match last weekend, with players from each team not moving for 15 seconds at the start of each league match.

However, the protests at the start of each match were not all shown on television broadcasts.

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“Hiding it… is censorship and manipulation, and that is not good at all,” Courtois added.

Madrid has expressed its disapproval of the match being moved, and Spanish media have reported that the club has filed a complaint with the Spanish government.

Coach Xabi Alonso reiterated that he is also against the move to Miami.

«My opinion is clear… the club is defending their interests and we will see what happens,» the coach said.

Belgian stopper Courtois will make his 300th appearance for the club on Wednesday when Real Madrid host Juventus in the Champions League.

«I am very proud of reaching that number. As a child you dream of playing a match for Real Madrid and tomorrow it will be 300,» said the 33-year-old.»

Published on October 21, 2025