Ronald Koeman and Frenkie de Jong are critical of the relocation of the Villarreal-FC Barcelona league match to the United States. The match will be played in Miami in December.
“I don’t like it,” said FC Barcelona midfielder De Jong the day before the Dutch national team’s World Cup qualifier against Malta. “I can understand the clubs. They will earn financially from it and increase their brand worldwide. That’s probably what it’s about.”
“I understand the point of view, but I wouldn’t do it and I don’t agree with it,” continued an outspoken De Jong, who is vice-captain at FC Barcelona. “It’s not good for the players. We always complain about the match schedule and the amount of travel.”
“It’s also not fair in terms of competition. For us, it’s an away match on neutral ground. I understand that clubs are not happy with it. It’s also strange that we are playing in America. Will anyone listen to me? I don’t think so, because we are going to play there.”
De Jong was supported by national coach Koeman, who is a club icon at FC Barcelona. “It doesn’t make any sense. Frenkie gives a good explanation. It’s not fair. Villarreal-FC Barcelona is always a difficult away match for FC Barcelona and they are now playing it on neutral ground. There are more Barcelona fans in the stands than Villarreal fans. So it’s also not sporting.”
Villarreal-FC Barcelona will be played on December 20 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, the La Liga competition management announced on Wednesday. League boss Javier Tebas said in a statement that he understood the concerns surrounding the match, but also wanted to serve the global fans. “This is just one of the 380 matches in the season.”