La Liga set to start after strike resolution
Reuters - Thursday 25 August 2011, 15:28
MADRID - The La Liga season will start
this weekend after the Spanish football league (LFP) and the
players' union (AFE) sealed a deal over unpaid wages on Thursday
that ended the first strike action in almost three decades.
Last week's first round of matches in the top two divisions
was postponed as the two sides haggled over issues including the
value of a fund to cover unpaid player salaries at clubs who are
struggling financially or have gone into administration.
Around 12 hours of talks stretched well into the early hours
of Thursday and a further session that began around 10:30am
local time finally ended when an agreement was
reached around 2pm.
"The strike has been called off by the players' union," a
relieved-looking league president Jose Luis Astiazaran told a
news conference.
"It was an effort from both sides, both sides gave ground
and I am very pleased that at last the ball will be in play."
AFE president Luis Rubiales said around 50 million euros the union says is owed to more than 200 players
would be guaranteed.
"The current economic situation is not easy and we must be
grateful to the LFP for their efforts," he added.
The first round of matches, including champions Barcelona at
Malaga and Real Madrid at home to Athletic Bilbao, will now be
played on January 21/22 and the games scheduled for that weekend
moved to Wednesday May 2.
SHAKING CONFIDENCE
Analysts said the strike, which had the support of top
players including the captains of Barcelona and Real Madrid, was
damaging Spain's status as world champions, shaking confidence
in its institutions and alienating fans.
It also served to highlight the dire financial state of many
clubs who overspend on player transfers and wages in a desperate
bid to remain competitive.
A recent study published by a University of Barcelona
accounting professor showed the 20 clubs in the top flight made
a combined net loss of some 100 million euros in the year to the
end of June 2010.
Total debt stood at 3.43 billion euros, more than double
revenue of 1.61 billion.
The accord between the LFP, which representes the 42 clubs
in the top two divisions, and the union provoked relief among
players and coaches.
"It is great news that agreement has been reached," Barca
coach Pep Guardiola told reporters ahead of Friday's European
Super Cup against Europa League winners Porto in Monaco.
Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, set to make his league debut
for Barca against Villarreal on Monday following his move from
Arsenal, added: "It is good if we can get back to normal."
Italy looked almost certain to face their own players'
strike after last-minute talks on Thursday, 48 hours before the
scheduled start of the Serie A season, failed to yield an
agreement with the clubs over player rights.