A court will announce it’s decision on the legality of the proposed action as both sides continue to claim they are in the right
A final decision on the court case concerning the proposed La Liga strike has been delayed until Thursday.
The Spanish government announced a new television rights deal on April 30 that will see the introduction of a more collective system that will no longer allow the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to negotiate their own contracts for the broadcasting of their league games.
The new agreement was widely praised but the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), which believes it neglects to address some key issues, has called a strike for the last two weekends of the season, starting on May 16.
Its decision was seconded by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) last week, and although talks took place between AFE and Spain’s Professional Football League (LFP) in Madrid on Tuesday, no progress was made.
The case has now gone to a Spanish high court but, after both sides of the argument were heard on Wednesday, no final decision will be taken until Thursday.
“We reject the preventative controls of the strike,” an AFE lawyer said.
“We are getting dangerously close to judicial authorisation to exercise a strike, which is very serious.”
Meanwhile, the LFP has blasted the strike proposals, saying they are “artificial” and “abusive”.
“I hope it is not impossible to reach an agreement with the players,” LFP president Javier Tebas.
“If there is a strike, La Liga could finish.”
A number of high-profile players, including Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, have given their support to the AFE.
“We are right so we are calm,” added AFE chief Luis Rubiales.
“We have the support from all Spanish players and we have to thank them.”