LaLiga Players Stage 15‑Second Protest Over Miami Match

The Spanish players’ union AFE organized a symbolic protest on Matchday 9 in which players paused for 15 seconds at kickoffs to oppose LaLiga’s decision to move Barcelona’s December fixture against Villarreal to Miami (scheduled for Dec. 20 at Hard Rock Stadium), citing a lack of transparency, dialogue and concerns about travel and working conditions. Oviedo and Espanyol initiated the action by standing still for the opening 15 seconds, but broadcasters reportedly cut away so the protest was not widely seen live. Captains across the top flight broadly backed the initiative while Barcelona and Villarreal were excluded to avoid targeting the clubs; coaches including Hansi Flick and Xabi Alonso publicly criticized the overseas fixture. LaLiga and president Javier Tebas defended staging the Miami game as a strategic revenue and growth opportunity and said they have offered to meet AFE, while AFE president David Aganzo said the league had not provided crucial details on collective bargaining, travel logistics or working conditions and warned the union may pursue further measures and political options. UEFA has approved requests allowing matches abroad, and Real Madrid has lodged appeals with UEFA, FIFA and Spain’s sport ministry, though intervention appears unlikely, leaving the fixture’s final status uncertain.