MADRID (AP) — Villarreal blamed poor management by the Spanish league for the cancellation of its planned regular-season game against Barcelona in the United States.

Villarreal on Wednesday expressed "discontent with La Liga over its handling of the organization of the match.” Earlier, Spanish league president Javier Tebas said “narrow-minded” views cost Spanish soccer a great chance to project itself globally.

A European fan group praised the decision to cancel the game, and the Spanish government called for more transparency in any future negotiations to try to play a league game abroad.

The Dec. 20 game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami was called off Tuesday amid growing opposition from players, fans and some clubs. The league cited the “uncertainty that has arisen in Spain over the pas

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