La Liga captains contemplate going on strike to avoid playing in North America

August 22, 2018 By Oscar Rojas

Topics: La Liga, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Betis, Sergio Ramos

Players from 14 La Liga teams gathered today to determine their next steps regarding the controversial plan to take Spanish top flight games away from their country.

The decision to take La Liga games to be played overseas has raised a few eyebrows, and Spanish footballers have made their voices heard.

After today's meeting at the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) headquarters, the players have decided to fight for their right to play their country. If an agreement isn't reached between themselves and La Liga, then they are prepared to go on strike to have things going their way.

The president of the footballers' union, David Aganzo, shared the player's complaints on several matters, such as the aforementioned plan to take La Liga games overseas, and other key problems such as the way games are being scheduled, financial controls and overall handling of the calendar.

"I will have a meeting with Javier Tebas in September. I've shared our complaints with him, and we disagree in some of our demands. One day, I'll try to make him play a game, so he can realize what it feels like to play football. Going on strike? All I can say is that we're ready to go the last mile on this subject," Aganzo said.

AFE's president added that there should be a consensus on all La Liga matters between clubs, the league and the players. Aganzo feels that not even the fans are being considered when all decisions are based on how much money La Liga will earn.

"The main issue is the lack of common sense. We're getting used to it. There's no time to rest in such a packed calendar. We're only thinking about exporting football. We pay Saudi Arabian players to come here, we have Monday night games...it's not enough. Who is taking our fans under consideration?" Aganzo questioned.

Aganzo also added that, even if Spanish clubs are yet to decide if they support Tebas' idea of playing games abroad, the footballers' union reached an unanimous decision on that matter.

"I'm speaking on behalf of the players. They are surprised and outraged for the way big decisions are being made. Our execs don't care about what we have to say, and we want that to change. Contrary to what happens with the clubs, we have agreed that this needs to stop," Aganzo concluded.