Xabi Alonso backs La Liga players protesting Miami match plan

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has voiced support for La Liga players protesting the league’s controversial decision to host a match in Miami, USA.

Last week, La Liga announced that Barcelona’s away game against Villarreal, scheduled for December 20, would be played in the United States — marking the first-ever European league fixture held abroad.

In response, the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) declared that players would stage a “symbolic protest” at the start of every La Liga match this week. On Friday, Oviedo and Espanyol players participated by standing still for the first 15 seconds of their match — though the moment was not broadcast live.

“We are against the match; we believe it distorts the competition,” Alonso said during a news conference on Saturday.

“There hasn’t been unanimity or consultation for it to be played on neutral ground. The protests are positive, and that sentiment is positive,” he added.

The Madrid coach acknowledged that holding a game abroad might be possible “if there were unanimity,” but stressed, “that’s not the case.”

La Liga leaders Real Madrid face Getafe on Sunday, and Alonso confirmed that Kylian Mbappé is expected to return to action after missing France’s recent World Cup qualifier against Iceland due to an ankle issue.

“Everyone who went with their national teams, except Dean (Huijsen), has returned in good condition,” Alonso said.

Opinion Nigeria News