LaLiga and players' union heading to court over Miami match protest
Legal battle set for March as LaLiga claims players' 15-second protest against moving Villarreal-Barcelona fixture to Miami constituted an illegal strike.
The ongoing beef between LaLiga and Spanish footballers over matches abroad is heading to the courtroom, with a legal showdown scheduled for March 25th.
Players vs LaLiga: The Miami Dispute
Spanish football’s governing body LaLiga has taken the players’ union (AFE) to court over what they’re calling an “illegal strike” - all stemming from a protest against plans to stage a Villarreal vs Barcelona match in Miami last season.
The protest itself was hardly revolutionary - players simply stood still for 15 seconds after kick-off during all matchweek nine fixtures. But LaLiga’s top brass weren’t having any of it, viewing the coordinated action as crossing a line.
The National Court’s Social Chamber will now decide the matter after both parties failed to reach an agreement during conciliation talks in December.
Why Players Took a Stand
This whole barney kicked off because:
- Players objected to LaLiga’s handling of the proposed Miami fixture
- The union (AFE) wanted approval from all parties involved
- They called for proper negotiation with everyone at the table
The Miami match was eventually cancelled in October when the promoter, Relevent, pulled the plug citing the “uncertainty” surrounding the fixture. LaLiga maintained their plan complied with all regulations, but it wasn’t enough to save the overseas venture.
History Repeating
This isn’t LaLiga’s first rodeo with the courts over American adventures. They previously tried to move a Girona-Barcelona match stateside during the 2018-19 season, leading to a proper legal tear-up with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
That attempt ended in disappointment for LaLiga, with courts at every level - from Madrid’s commercial courts to the Supreme Court - ruling against them. The final decision came down just last September.
The players’ union clearly feels they’re on solid ground with their protest tactics, but LaLiga isn’t backing down without a fight. For Spanish football fans wondering if they’ll ever see a domestic league match on American soil, it’s another case of “not on my watch” from those actually kicking the ball about.