Surprise was perhaps the main reaction to the news that promoter Relevent had pulled the plug on plans to host Villarreal-Barcelona in Miami this December, while La Liga expressed ‘deep regret’. Yet for Villarreal President Fernando Roig Negueroles, it very much seemed as if  the primary reaction was anger.

On Tuesday night during the round of Champions League fixtures, both Relevent and La Liga released statements on the cancellation of the event, citing uncertainty generated in Spain over the prospect of the game as the reason.

Marcus Rashford can't wait for El Clásico. Fresh off a brace against Olympiacos, the English forward arrives at the Bernabéu in top form and full of confidence. "I came to Barça for games like this", he said after what he called his best performance yet. @sport

— barcacentre (@barcacentre) October 22, 2025

Fernando Roig Negueroles reacts to Miami decision

The news broke as Villarreal were in action, and cameras picked out Villarreal President Fernando Roig Negueroles, son of the owner. Initially he was seen consulting his phone, and then reacting angrily. Roig Negueroles’ ire only continued to grow as he made a call during the break, while his side lost against Manchester City.

🚨 No habrá Villarreal – Barça en Miami.

🎥 La reacción de Fernando Roig Negueroles, en exclusiva en @MovistarPlus.@sguasch #UCL #LaCasaDelFútbol

— Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) October 21, 2025

Roig Negueroles has been along with La Liga counterpart Javier Tebas the most outspoken figure in favour of playing games in the USA, noting earlier this month that ‘if Villarreal did not play games in the USA now, then they may not be playing games at La Ceramica in a few years’. This is also the second time that the Yellow Submarine have given the green light for one of their games to be moved to the United States.

La Liga reaction to cancellation

The reaction from La Liga highlighted what they saw it as a missed opportunity to continue the global growth of the competition. La Liga also stressed the fact that the game had not been cancelled due to any suggestion that it would corrupt the competition. In addition, it will be interesting to see how the rest of European football reacts to the decision. Serie A are, as things stand, continuing ahead with plans to play Como-AC Milan in Australia this January. UEFA have said that they will work towards ensuring domestic games continue in the countries they are in, but this opens the door for them to put legislation in place.