Alonso: Miami LaLiga Game Protests Beneficial, Says Madrid Star

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has expressed support for player protests against LaLiga’s decision to host a regular-season game in Miami. He regards the protests as a “positive” expression of the sentiments shared by numerous clubs.

Protests Over Miami Game

In a significant move, LaLiga is scheduled to hold a match between Barcelona and Villarreal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20. The ticket sales for this game are set to begin next week. In reaction to this decision, a protest occurred during the first LaLiga match of the weekend between Real Oviedo and Espanyol. The two teams paused for the first 15 seconds to demonstrate their opposition.

The players’ union, AFE, revealed that the protest was aimed at addressing the league’s “lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence” in organizing the Miami game. Unfortunately, the protest went largely unnoticed by viewers, as the television broadcast opted for an exterior shot of the stadium instead.

Alonso’s Stance

“We’re against the [Miami] game because we believe it influences the competition,” Alonso remarked in a news conference. He highlighted that there is no consensus among participating clubs in LaLiga regarding this match. “We haven’t been consulted,” he added, underlining the unilateral nature of the decision.

• Alonso described the protests as beneficial and reflective of many clubs’ feelings.
• He noted that the match has been organized without the agreement of all stakeholders.

The protest continued into Saturday’s early match, Sevilla vs. Mallorca, where the players’ demonstration was briefly showcased before the camera shifted focus to the Sevilla bench. AFE stated that team captains from all 20 top-flight LaLiga teams supported the protest, although players from Barcelona and Villarreal were not asked to join.

Future Actions

When questioned about potential future actions from players, including the possibility of a strike, Alonso remained non-committal. He reiterated the team’s position but indicated that any necessary decisions would be made by others.

Real Madrid is scheduled to visit Getafe, sitting two points ahead of rivals Barcelona, who are hosting Girona this weekend. In player news, Alonso dismissed concerns about Kylian Mbappé’s fitness after he returned early from international duty with an ankle issue. “His ankle is fine,” Alonso confirmed, adding that Mbappé is part of the squad and may start the upcoming match.

Additionally, he addressed the potential January transfer of forward Endrick, clarifying that it is “not on my mind.” He also provided an update on midfielder Jude Bellingham, stating that he has been training well post-recovery from shoulder surgery. “Jude has been training and preparing. He’s eager to feel good and help the team,” Alonso noted.