Spanish league hardens stance on strike threat
Reuters - Tuesday 22 March 2011, 21:11
MADRID - Spain's professional football league (LFP) has reiterated a threat to postpone a round of
matches next month over a dispute with the government about a
rule that one La Liga game per matchday be shown on free TV.
Talks between league officials, the government and
parliamentary groups had failed to produce any progress, the
LFP, which represents first and second division clubs, said in a
statement on their website on Tuesday.
"Therefore, the LFP stands by the decision... to postpone
the matchday which corresponds to April 3, until there are
concrete developments in the dialogue with the administration,"
the statement said.
The LFP, which has the backing of the Spanish football
federation (RFEF), wants to scrap the free match rule to help
strengthen clubs' bargaining powers in negotiations on
audiovisual rights with TV companies.
They also want guarantees about how much cash they are
entitled to receive from betting and lottery revenue.
On the weekend under threat, April 2/3, La Liga leaders
Barcelona are due to play at Villarreal, while second-placed
Real Madrid host Sporting Gijon.