Source:REUTERS/Ana Beltran
[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, La Liga and the Spanish Players’ Association have recently officially gone to court, with judicial proceedings underway to determine whether the players’ 15‑second silent protest in La Liga matches constitutes an illegal strike. Last October, La Liga pushed ahead with the “Miami Project,” which moved the league match between Villarreal and Barcelona to Miami, USA. Although the plan was approved and officially announced by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and UEFA, the players were not informed until August and were excluded from the early negotiation process. The players demanded the right to be informed about the match and issued multiple warnings, while La Liga only attempted to communicate after the situation escalated, sparking strong dissatisfaction among the players. Team captains across La Liga launched a protest, staging a collective 15‑second silence before kick‑off in the 9th round of matches. Attempts by broadcasters to block the protest footage further angered the players. La Liga President Javier Tebas then accused the players of engaging in an illegal strike, leaving the two sides deadlocked.
The editor believes that La Liga maintains that the silent protest constitutes an illegal strike, while the players’ union argues that it is a legitimate act of protest protected by freedom of speech. The two sides held mediation talks last December, which ultimately failed. Javier Tebas had previously stated that he “hoped for a judge’s ruling,” and that has now become a reality.