La Liga Previews - Levante strike still on
Reuters - Friday 16 May 2008, 12:23
Brief news from the Primera Liga
ahead of the final round of matches this weekend:
Real Madrid's final match of the season is in doubt as
players from cash-strapped Levante have announced they will
strike unless they are paid money owed to them dating back to
last season.
The players have said they are owed 18 million euros ($27.8
million) and will only play if given an immediate guarantee they
will receive 13 million.
Real Madrid skipper Raul has accepted that he will not be
included in the Spain squad for Euro 2008.
"My next objective is to rest up and then prepare myself for
next season," the striker was quoted as saying in the Spanish
media on Friday.
Spanish media report that Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o
will join Deco in leaving the club in the close season.
Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan are both reported to be
interested in signing the former African Player of the Year, who
is said to have a price tag of around 40 million euros.
Atletico Madrid could still finish in third place if they
win away against Valencia on Sunday and Barcelona do not beat
relegated Real Murcia. Barca have won just one of their last
eight league matches.
Racing Santander will qualify for Europe for the first
time if they beat Osasuna at home on Sunday.
Any one of Real Zaragoza, Osasuna, Recreativo Huelva and
Valladolid could fill the final relegation berth and join
Levante and Real Murcia in the second division next season.
Zaragoza are away at Real Mallorca, Osasuna travel to Racing
Santander and Recreativo are at home to Valladolid.
Real Murcia coach Javier Clemente is expected to extend
his contract for another two years despite the team's
relegation.
The former Spain coach took charge in early March when they
were second from bottom in the Primera Liga, six points from
safety. They remain in the same position in the table, but are
now 12 points behind Real Zaragoza and 13 adrift of Osasuna, who
are just above the drop zone.
Getafe coach Michael Laudrup confirmed on Friday that he
will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Getafe reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in their
debut season in Europe and also reached the final of the King's
Cup for the second year in succession. They are assured of
survival in the top flight.
Reporting by Simon Baskett; editing by Peter Rutherford