OFFICIAL – Real Madrid strongly opposes the proposal to play the La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona (Matchday 17) outside Spain, arguing that it violates the principle of territorial reciprocity, disrupts competitive balance, and undermines sporting integrity.

Real Madrid has taken a firm and uncompromising stance against the controversial proposal to stage the upcoming La Liga clash between Villarreal and Barcelona outside of Spain. The match, scheduled for Matchday 17, has become the subject of heated debate after discussions emerged about moving the fixture abroad in an attempt to expand La Liga’s global reach.

The Madrid hierarchy believes such a move would fundamentally undermine the principles on which Spanish football is built. In their official statement, the club argued that removing domestic league matches from Spanish soil would not only damage the competitive balance of the competition but also erode the very concept of territorial reciprocity that governs La Liga’s structure.

According to Real Madrid, allowing a single club—or select clubs—to benefit from matches played abroad would create an uneven playing field. They stress that sporting integrity is at risk when fixtures are stripped from their natural environment, depriving local fans of the opportunity to support their teams at home and disrupting the rhythm of the season.

The club’s opposition is not merely rhetorical. Real Madrid has launched a multi-front initiative aimed at blocking the proposal at every possible level. First, the club has directly appealed to FIFA, urging the world governing body not to authorize the match unless all participating clubs in La Liga grant their unanimous consent. Madrid argues that any unilateral approval would set a dangerous precedent.

In addition, Real Madrid has reached out to UEFA, pressing the European football authority to intervene. They reminded UEFA of its firm position in 2018, when it explicitly rejected the idea of staging national league matches abroad without exceptional justification. By appealing to UEFA, Madrid hopes to add further pressure on the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to withdraw or reject the request.

The club has also taken the matter to Spain’s Superior Sports Council (CSD), calling for administrative authorization to be denied unless unanimous agreement is achieved across the league. For Madrid, this is not merely a matter of preference but one of legal and sporting legitimacy. They argue that no club should be forced into an arrangement that disrupts the competitive framework of Spanish football.

Behind Madrid’s fierce resistance lies a broader concern about the future of the domestic league. Club officials fear that allowing one match to be played abroad could open the door to a gradual commercialization of fixtures, prioritizing marketing opportunities over fairness and tradition. They believe that if this plan goes ahead, Spanish football risks following a path where local supporters are sidelined in favor of global expansion.

Unsurprisingly, the proposal has divided public opinion. Some argue that playing high-profile matches abroad could generate additional revenue, attract international fans, and strengthen La Liga’s global brand. Others, however, support Madrid’s stance, pointing out that the heart of football lies in its connection to local communities, stadium traditions, and the cultural identity of each fixture.

Real Madrid’s intervention has intensified the debate, turning what was initially a commercial experiment into a battle over principle. The outcome of this standoff will likely set an important precedent for the future of La Liga and possibly for other European leagues facing similar pressures.

As of now, the ball is in the hands of FIFA, UEFA, the RFEF, and the CSD. Each institution will need to weigh the commercial ambitions of La Liga against the fundamental principles of competitive balance and territorial fairness. For Madrid, however, the message is clear: football belongs to its communities, and no matchday should be stripped from its rightful home without the consent of all.

One thing is certain—whether this proposal is ultimately approved or rejected, Real Madrid has drawn a clear line in the sand. The club’s fierce opposition highlights a deeper struggle over the future direction of football: tradition and integrity on one side, global expansion and commercialization on the other.