Real Madrid have escalated their opposition to La Liga’s Miami plan by filing a second complaint to the Higher Sports Council (CSD), aiming to stop the Villarreal vs Barcelona match from taking place in the United States. The club claims the overseas fixture breaches competition fairness, while the government and Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) navigate complex regulations before a final decision.
Real Madrid challenge Miami match plan
According to , Los Blancos have intensified the dispute with La Liga over the proposed Miami fixture, lodging a second formal complaint with the CSD to block the historic plan. The club argue that taking the Primera Division game abroad undermines competition equality and violates the league’s core principles. While La Liga and the RFEF defend the project as a historic opportunity to globalise Spanish football, Madrid insist the move distorts the domestic competition. The case is now under bureaucratic review, with the CSD awaiting further documentation from the RFEF to determine whether the match could legally take place outside Spain.
AdvertisementAFPOngoing bureaucracy and potential court case
The complaint has added a legal layer to the Miami plan, delaying confirmation of the fixture. The CSD must first assess its authority to approve or halt matches outside Spain. La Liga argues that no such approval is strictly required, but Madrid’s insistence has forced the council to scrutinise the RFEF’s regulations. Officials are navigating a complex framework of domestic sporting law, which could eventually result in court proceedings if an agreement is not reached. Meanwhile, Villarreal and Barca continue preparations without knowing if the game will take place on American soil or in Castellon.
As per reports, the CSD initially requested a report from the RFEF to clarify whether the Miami match would breach federation rules, but further details are still pending. Real Madrid have reiterated their arguments, emphasising that playing abroad creates a competitive imbalance. La Liga, on the other hand, maintains that the initiative is designed to expand the league’s international footprint, particularly in the lucrative United States market.
Miami ruling fallout
The controversy underscores the tension between La Liga’s international ambitions and domestic competitive integrity. The CSD is expected to issue a statement after reviewing Madrid’s complaints, which will determine whether the Villarreal vs Barcelona fixture can proceed in Miami, United States. A decision could have far-reaching effects on the league’s governance and future overseas initiatives. Meanwhile, Real Madrid and other clubs must balance ongoing legal disputes with on-field performance, as El Clasico against Barca looms and Champions League matches demand full focus.
Getty Images SportReal Madrid eye statement win over struggling Juventus
Madrid head into their next Champions League test on six points after an emphatic start, beating Marseille and Kairat Almaty in their opening fixtures. Their most recent outing saw them smash five past the Kazakh side, with Mbappe bagging a superb hat-trick. While those victories were largely expected, tougher challenges now await Xabi Alonso’s men. A win against Serie A heavyweights Juventus would put Los Blancos in an excellent position before they face Barcelona in Laliga's Clasico and Liverpool in the upcoming rounds of Champions League.
Juve, meanwhile, remain unbeaten but find themselves under a little more pressure after drawing their opening two matches. They picked up dramatic late points at home to Borussia Dortmund in an incredible 4-4 thriller and were then held to a draw by Villarreal, who equalised in the dying moments to snatch a result. Despite their resilience, the Bianconeri are struggling for form overall, winless in their last six games across all competitions, five of which have ended level. Their frustrating streak extended with a 2-0 defeat to Como at the weekend. However, their upcoming Champions League fixtures appear more manageable, meaning a positive result against Real Madrid could set them up well to qualify for the knockout rounds.
The sides last faced each other during this past summer’s Club World Cup, where Real Madrid triumphed 1-0 in the round of 16 courtesy of a Gonzalo Garcia strike. Historically, their encounters in the Champions League have been tightly contested, often decided by fine margins.
Xabi Alonso, though, faces several injury headaches ahead of the Juventus clash. Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Dani Ceballos and Dani Carvajal are all recovering from various knocks and are unlikely to feature, with Carvajal suspended regardless. Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to partial training but is not expected to be risked, while Ferland Mendy remains sidelined with a long-term issue.
