Thibaut Courtois Accuses La Liga of ‘Manipulation’ Amid Protests Over Miami Fixture
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has voiced strong criticism against La Liga, accusing the governing body of “manipulation” after protests against the controversial decision to host the Villarreal versus Barcelona match in Miami were not aired on television.
During recent La Liga fixtures, teams staged protests by refusing to start play for the opening 15 seconds, a demonstration aimed at opposing the Miami match scheduled for December. However, these protests were reportedly downplayed by La Liga, which allegedly requested broadcasters not to show them, as reported by multiple sources familiar with the situation.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Courtois expressed his frustration with La Liga’s handling of the situation. “Hiding the protests is hiding, it’s manipulating, and it’s serious,” he stated, highlighting a lack of transparency in the league’s operations. The goalkeeper’s comments came shortly after La Liga President Javier Tebas sent a letter to the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), warning of potential “unwanted consequences” for players involved in the protests.
Courtois emphasized the unfairness of moving matches away from their traditional venues, arguing that it distorts competition. “In the NBA or the NFL, they play 82 games and it doesn’t change anything if they play elsewhere. These leagues are owned by the clubs, unlike La Liga, which does not comply with the players’ agreement,” he added.
The planned match in Miami, which received UEFA’s approval earlier this month, is set to become the first European top-flight game played in the United States, pending FIFA’s final endorsement. Originally slated for Villarreal’s Estadi de la Ceramica, Courtois asserted that moving the game compromises the home advantage traditionally enjoyed by teams.
Real Madrid has been vocal in its opposition to the fixture, sending two letters to the Spanish Sports Council (CSD) in recent weeks, advocating against La Liga matches being hosted outside Spain.
As tensions rise, representatives from the AFE and La Liga are in discussions to arrange a meeting to address the ongoing concerns. Courtois’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among players who feel sidelined by decisions being made at the top levels of the league.
