Overview
- The fixture will now be played in Spain at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica on the original calendar date.
- Promoter Relevent told LaLiga there was insufficient time to execute the event and halted plans before ticket sales began.
- Players’ union AFE coordinated 15-second kickoff protests across LaLiga, and some TV feeds cut away from the demonstrations.
- Real Madrid and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois publicly argued the move would distort competition by stripping Villarreal of home advantage.
- UEFA had allowed the move as a one-off without setting a precedent, and LaLiga president Javier Tebas says the league will keep pursuing overseas games as FIFA works on clearer regulations.