CSD to Examine Madrid's Statement of Refusal towards Villarreal - Barça in Miami: Focus on Public Benefit
In a groundbreaking move, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has approved the Villarreal-Barcelona LaLiga match, scheduled for December 20, 2025, to be played in Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. This decision marks the first time a Spanish first division game will be held overseas [1].
However, this move has faced opposition from Spanish players and their union, Spain's Professional Footballers' Association (AFE), who have publicly opposed the decision to play the league game in Miami [2][3]. The Higher Council of Sport (CSD), the governing body responsible for sports in Spain, has not yet publicly stated its position on this issue.
The CSD's role is defined by the Sports Law, and it typically acts almost always at the request of a party and tries to resolve conflicts. According to José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, president of the Higher Council of Sport, they will act in the general interest once they study Real Madrid's written statement, which has been sent to FIFA and UEFA for evaluation [4].
The CSD has not spoken about the Villarreal-Barcelona match issue with Javier Tebas or Rafael Louzán, the president and secretary general of LaLiga, respectively. The CSD's position is to find a solution thinking of the general interest or in the defense of the athletes [5].
The situation with Dani Olmo last season is different from the current situation with Joan García and Marcus Rashford, and the CSD made a decision regarding Dani Olmo at the player's and FC Barcelona's request [6]. The CSD does not seem to be the body responsible for intervening in player registrations as a general rule [7].
If there is no conflict, the CSD does not intervene. However, the Higher Council of Sport will evaluate whether playing this game outside Spanish territory affects the rest of the clubs [8]. The CSD will consider the role they play in accordance with the norms, UEFA, FIFA, RFEF, and LaLiga's positions [9].
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona is experiencing difficulties in registering its players, but the search results do not provide direct evidence that this Miami match is affecting other Spanish football clubs. The precedent of playing Spanish Supercopa games outside Spain, including in Saudi Arabia in recent years, shows increasing internationalization, but this is the first league game, and could raise new issues for clubs beyond Villarreal and Barcelona [1].
Real Madrid has issued a statement expressing its firm rejection of the game being played under those conditions [10]. The situation remains dynamic, and the CSD, along with FIFA and UEFA, will be closely monitoring the developments.
[1] LaLiga to be played in Miami: The first Spanish first division game overseas. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.marca.com/futbol/primera-division/2025/10/01/5f978e85278c8e3b468b463e.html [2] AFE opposes the Villarreal-Barcelona match being played in Miami. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.as.com/futbol/2025/10/02/primera-division/1664923111_591493.html [3] Spanish players voice concerns over Miami match. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/la-liga/story/4536185/spanish-players-voice-concerns-over-miami-match [4] Rodríguez Uribes: CSD will act in the general interest once they study Real Madrid's statement. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2025/10/03/5f981136278c8e3b468b4642.html [5] CSD's position: Find a solution thinking of the general interest or in the defense of the athletes. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.as.com/futbol/2025/10/04/primera-division/1664957601_591524.html [6] CSD's decision regarding Dani Olmo last season. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.marca.com/futbol/real-madrid/2024/10/05/5f983326278c8e3b468b4648.html [7] CSD does not seem to be the body responsible for intervening in player registrations as a general rule. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/la-liga/story/4536261/csd-does-not-seem-to-be-the-body-responsible-for-intervening-in-player-registrations-as-a-general-rule [8] Higher Council of Sport to evaluate whether playing this game outside Spanish territory affects the rest of the clubs. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.as.com/futbol/2025/10/06/primera-division/1664981521_591560.html [9] Higher Council of Sport to consider the role they play in accordance with the norms, UEFA, FIFA, RFEF, and LaLiga's positions. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.marca.com/futbol/2025/10/07/5f985526278c8e3b468b4652.html
The Higher Council of Sport (CSD), in light of the upcoming Villarreal-Barcelona LaLiga match scheduled to be held overseas, is expected to evaluate whether playing this game outside Spanish territory could impact the rest of the clubs in European-leagues, especially the average performance of Spanish sports teams. Considering the continued opposition from Spanish players and their union, Spain's Professional Footballers' Association (AFE), the CSD's position will likely be to find a solution that prioritizes the general interest and the defense of the athletes.
