The players are not happy
It was announced today that one LaLiga game per season will be played in the United States. It will be the first time a competitive league fixture in any of Europe’s top flight leagues will be played outside the continent.
Here’s LaLiga’s press release on their new venture, confirming games will be played in the US. pic.twitter.com/F3ui2yJ9hY
— The Spanish Football Podcast (@tsf_podcast) August 16, 2018
The decision was made in an attempt to promote football in North America, just as regular season NFL matches are often played at Wembley and Twickenham.
The AFE ( the Spanish equivalent of the Professional Footballers’ Association), has responded to the news, criticising the decision to treat players as “currency that can be used in business to only benefit third parties.”
The AFE’s statement reads:
“In reference to the agreement made between LaLiga and the company Relevent, which includes that an official league match will be played in the United States, the AFE strongly objects.
“As per usual, LaLiga has dispensed with the opinions of the players and has undertaken actions that only benefit them, regardless of the health or risks to the players, and even less the feelings of the following masses of the clubs who are being “forced” to compete in North America once a season.
“Faced with such manifest arbitrariness, David Aganzo, president of the Spanish Footballers Association (AFE), has made his complaint public and points out that “footballers are not currency that can be used in business to only benefit third parties.”
United we are stronger.”
It feels like only the beginning, and concerns are rising among English football fans that the Premier League will follow suit.
