‘It’s wrong’ – Spanish international speaks out against Barcelona vs Villarreal match in the USA | OneFootball

Athletic Club star and Spanish international Unai Simón has this week revealed his opposition to La Liga’s plans to hold their first-ever fixture outside of Spain.

This comes, for those who may have missed it, after it was revealed that Javier Tebas and co. are actively working towards moving the scheduled meeting between Villarreal and Barcelona in December to the USA.

Specifically, the plan is for the gameweek 17 fixture to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Many have already made clear their disillusionment with as much, adamant that any move outside of Spain calls into question the integrity of the La Liga season as a whole.

Real Madrid, for one, released a strong statement on Tuesday, making crystal clear their opposition to the initiative.

And as alluded to above, a day on, Los Blancos have been backed by a member of the first-team ranks at another of La Liga’s leading clubs.

Speaking during an appearance in front of the media on Wednesday, Athletic Club goalkeeper Unai Simón explained:

“It’s a lack of respect for the fans. It’s something that would seem wrong to me at Athletic and at any other club.

“Football is not only part of the members and fans, but it is the people who have brought us to where we are. If it weren’t for them, football wouldn’t exist. If it were Athletic’s turn to go to Miami, I don’t see it. Although in the end the club pays for the trip and the ticket, there are many fans who cannot make that trip.

“For them, it is a lost day, a day that they are left without seeing their players live.”

Conor Laird – GSFN