Confirmed! UEFA admits Florentino Pérez was right: 'After the meeting...'

The eyes of the soccer world have turned to LaLiga in recent days. First, because of the announcement that the match between Villarreal and Barça was going to be played in Miami. Then, because of its surprising cancellation, which has caused enormous controversy in Spain.

The event promoter decided to suspend Villarreal-Barça "due to the uncertainty caused in Spain in recent weeks". The news was confirmed on Tuesday night, right in the middle of the Champions matchday, and sparked immediate reactions. One of the most talked-about was that of Real Madrid.

Florentino Pérez had already warned about it

Florentino Pérez had been warning for some time about what he considered a sporting and economic injustice. For Real Madrid president, playing a LaLiga match outside Spain meant a distortion of the competition. For this reason, the club asked the Higher Sports Council to intervene to stop the project.

According to the club's management, the match in Miami broke the level playing field between the teams. Home advantage, the fans, and the revenue from playing at home are essential parts of competitive balance. Now UEFA has proven him right.

UEFA sides with Florentino Pérez

UEFA, which had initially accepted "on an exceptional basis" the holding of the match, changed its tone after the suspension. In an official statement, the European body declared: "UEFA welcomes LaLiga's decision. Our position on domestic matches played abroad remains clear."

They also added that, "after the meeting of its Executive Committee in Tirana last month, new consultations were held with stakeholders. That consultation confirmed the widespread lack of support." In other words, UEFA has proven Florentino Pérez and Real Madrid right in their defense of the integrity of Spanish soccer.

Support for the traditional model

UEFA's position represents an institutional victory for the club. It recognizes that domestic soccer must be kept within its natural environment, with its public and its sporting context. Thus, the top European body closes the door to the possibility of LaLiga being played outside the country.

For LaLiga, the blow is clear. What was presented as a historic opportunity to expand internationally has turned into a setback. For Florentino Pérez, a confirmation: his defense of competitive balance and respect for the rules was well-founded.