MADRID, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Athletic Bilbao and Spain national team goalkeeper Unai Simon has criticized the Spanish Football Federation's decision to move Villarreal's home match against FC Barcelona to Miami this season.
The game, originally scheduled as part of La Liga's 17th round, will be played at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium on December 20.
The plan has drawn backlash from supporters' groups, the Spanish players' union (AFE), and Real Madrid, which called the move unfair-arguing it would turn Barcelona's tough away fixture into a neutral-site match with heavy fan support for the reigning champions.
Villarreal president Fernando Roig attempted to mitigate concerns by offering free tickets and travel to fans willing to make the 15,000-kilometer round trip, along with a 20% season-ticket rebate for those who stay home. But Simon dismissed the concessions as unrealistic.
"Football is about the fans-the people who brought us to where we are. Without them, it wouldn't exist," he told reporters Wednesday. "If Athletic had to play abroad, it wouldn't be feasible. Even with paid travel, many fans couldn't go. Asking people to fly to Miami is disrespectful. Football should always prioritize supporters."
Simon's club has faced similar scrutiny for participating in the Spanish Supercup in Saudi Arabia, a decision veteran Raul Garcia also condemned for excluding matchgoing fans.
The Miami fixture still requires approval from UEFA and FIFA. ■
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