Thibaut Courtois says La Liga plan for match in Miami ‘distorts the competition’ | La Liga

Actual Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has launched a scathing assault on La Liga, criticising the league’s resolution to stage Barcelona’s away match in opposition to Villarreal in Miami on 20 December, saying it “distorts the competitors”.

The fixture, which is about to happen on the Onerous Rock Stadium, could be the primary La Liga fixture held exterior Spain and the primary European league match staged overseas. Whereas Uefa has “reluctantly” accepted the plan, Actual Madrid and different groups in Spain’s prime flight have expressed their opposition.

Talking on Tuesday earlier than Actual’s Champions League fixture in opposition to Juventus, Courtois accused La Liga of bypassing golf equipment within the decision-making course of and argued that the transfer undermines the rules of equity within the home-and-away league format. “La Liga does no matter it desires as a result of it fits them,” stated the Belgian. “This resolution distorts the competitors. Enjoying at residence just isn’t the identical as enjoying away. In La Liga, enjoying away may be very troublesome, as we noticed in opposition to Actual Sociedad and Getafe. Villarreal away is hard. It’s not truthful to alter the foundations mid-season with out consulting us.”

Courtois additionally contrasted La Liga’s plans with the NBA and NFL, who repeatedly play matches overseas. “The NBA has 82 video games, and the NFL’s homeowners collectively approve these choices. Right here, La Liga acts unilaterally. It’s not the identical,” he stated.

La Liga gamers staged silent protests on the weekend by standing immobile at kick-offs throughout all matches, symbolising their discontent with the choice. La Liga’s broadcasts ignored the protests in a number of video games, displaying a large, aerial shot of the stadiums accompanied by a banner that learn “Dedication to peace”.

“Hiding the protests and making an attempt to alter the narrative is censorship and manipulation,” Courtois stated. “I’m not shocked. [La Liga president, Javier Tebas] behaves like no different sports activities govt I’ve ever seen. His actions on social media and in public communicate volumes.”

Actual Madrid have filed two complaints with Spain’s sports activities ministry, arguing the shifting of a home recreation abroad undermines La Liga’s aggressive integrity. The Atlético Madrid supervisor, Diego Simeone, has additionally weighed in on the controversy, expressing his scepticism over the Miami fixture. “I received’t consider it till I see it,” he stated. “The house crew loses the benefit. Their followers received’t be there, and so they must journey 1000’s of miles. We have to respect the followers.”

La Liga has repeatedly defended its plan to stage matches overseas, stating that the proposal “doesn’t distort competitors or violate any rights of gamers, golf equipment or followers.”