LaLiga has announced the cancellation of the highly anticipated but much criticised league match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona to be played outside Spain.

The matchday 17 fixture, which was scheduled to come off in Miami, was called off by the Spanish football league authorities following backlash, but they cited “the uncertainty generated in Spain over the past few weeks” as the reason.

“LaLiga deeply regrets that this project, which represented a historic and unparalleled opportunity for the internationalisation of Spanish football, cannot move forward,” the league said.

Despite this latest setback, LaLiga stated it will continue working “to bring Spanish football to every corner of the world” while maintaining an “open, modern, and competitive vision” that benefits clubs, players, and fans alike.

Although the dream of seeing a Villarreal vs Barcelona match in Miami has faded, the ambition to globalise Spanish football remains very much alive in the league’s long-term plans.