Major trouble is brewing in Spanish first division football league – LaLiga. The new season, which has just started, is under threat of aplayers strike. The bone of contention between the league’s administrators and the players is just concluded deal with the US entertainment company Relevant Sports. According to the agreed deal, some of the league’s fixtures can be staged in the United States.The players union is completely against this.
Spanish soccer players’ union (AFE) has not rule out the possibility of a strike on the issue, states a Sportspromedia report.
LaLiga had signed a 15-year deal with US entertainment company Relevent Sports on Friday without consulting players.
A meeting was then held on Wednesday, which was attended by player representatives from every LaLiga team and AFE president David Aganzo. Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, Barcelona pair Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto, Atletico Madrid players Koke and Juanfran were among the attendees.
Aganzo, confirming that a follow-up meeting would take place in September, said: “The problem is the lack of common sense, a schedule where only the export of soccer benefits – nobody counts on the fans. We need to fix it with the bosses. The captains are outraged, they’re against it, they are unanimous.
“It does not make sense. We are talking about an agreement that has a validity of 15 years without consulting the players. We will try not to reach that extreme [of strike action] but we are willing to go to the end if necessary.”
Following the meeting, a LaLiga statement said: “LaLiga will meet with AFE in the appropriate forum to discuss the plans to play a match outside of Spain.”
In order for the games to take place, the agreement must be ratified by Fifa, Uefa, Concacaf, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Spain’s National Sports Council and its foreign ministry.
The LaLiga season has kicked off on 17 August with Barcelona looking to retain their title
No comments:
Post a Comment