Real Madrid File Formal Complaint Over Controversial Plan to Stage Barcelona–Villarreal Clash in Miami

Real Madrid have officially lodged a formal complaint against La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over the decision to host December’s league fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, according to reports from MARCA, MySportDab Reports.

The ruling has sparked outrage across Spanish football, with the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) organizing a protest over the weekend that saw teams—including Barcelona—refuse to play for the opening 15 seconds of their matches in opposition to the move.

Madrid have escalated the dispute by filing their report to Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD), the government body that oversees sporting affairs in the country.

The club reportedly described the plan as a “corruption of the competition,” arguing that it gives Barcelona an unfair advantage by removing one of their away fixtures from a rival’s home stadium.

In response, the CSD has demanded all documentation from the RFEF concerning the decision to move the match abroad. The federation, in turn, has requested access to Madrid’s formal complaint to prepare its defense.

The controversy centres on fairness and sporting integrity. Villarreal lose the benefits of home support at Estadio de la Cerámica, while Barcelona avoid a potentially challenging away trip — a scenario many view as commercially driven rather than competitive.

Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, currently sidelined with a muscle injury, echoed the club’s stance publicly. “I think it’s clear corruption of the competition,” he told Teledeporte. “All teams should compete under the same conditions. This doesn’t achieve that.”

Carvajal remains doubtful for El Clásico this weekend, as Barcelona visit the Santiago Bernabéu, but his words underline the growing tension between Madrid, La Liga, and Spanish football’s governing bodies.