The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) has confirmed its plans for a work stoppage from May 16 after alleging that it has been ignored in the new Royal Decree legislation, which was designed to pave the way for the introduction of collective selling of media rights across the sport’s top two domestic divisions.
The AFE confirmed its plans following the announcement of the impending strike by the RFEF, the Spanish football federation, earlier this week, and following a meeting of first-team captains from several top clubs in the country.
“The AFE has been excluded [from the Royal Decree], in breach of what parliament has planned,” AFE president Luis Rubiales said. “The subcommittee for professional sport ceded control to the government so that a collective agreement could be reached which involved all relevant parties. That has not been respected by the government.
“It is not just an issue which relates to Spain; the European Commission created a group in which the AFE, through FIFPro, is represented by the clubs and by the league. We have decided to call this strike not to go all out on the offensive but in defence of our rights which we believe have been infringed.”
Following the AFE’s move, the Spanish Football League (LFP) issued its own statement, declaring the strike action to be illegal, adding that it will proceed with legal action in a bid to avoid a shutdown of the domestic game.
The LFP said: “The calling of, and objectives of the strike are illegal, and infringe article number 11 of the Royal Decree law 17/1977, 4 March, about the undertaking of work. What is asked for is a modification of a decree approved by law, and said modifications cannot be the object of a strike in a private sector (the football industry), as jurisprudence clears up in this aspect.
“The calling of a strike is a clear breach of the agreement between the LFP and AFE. Given the illegal nature of the strike proposal, a complaint will be lodged before the National High Court tomorrow (Friday) with the request that it be processed with the maximum possible urgency.
“If the strike called is declared illegal and the La Liga matchdays referred to in its announcement are suspended, an application for the appropriate damages will be lodged and the affected clubs may undertake those disciplinary measures they consider suitable. The LFP wishes to reiterate its surprise at the manifestly illegal actions that the RFEF and AFE are engaging in, given the serious damage they could cause their members. The LFP will not cease to defend the rights of its members before all authorities necessary.”
LFP president Javier Tebas earlier slammed the conduct of his RFEF counterpart, Ángel María Villar, adding the deal for collective rights selling “clearly benefits” the average football fan.
Tebas said: “I have requested 20 or 25 meetings with him. Ángel María Villar is irresponsible and audacious. He has proven himself to be a bad administrator and a bad president. He treats football like a country manor, only inviting those he wants to his house. That is how he has been running the federation for the last 27 years. A lot of people have allowed him to behave in this way. He needs to accept that he holds a position that requires him to speak with all the representatives of football, whether he likes it or not.”
Tebas said the clubs “completely oppose (the call to strike action) because they don’t understand it.” He added: “Never has there been such a unanimous stance on such a controversial and complicated matter in the last 15 years. All the presidents and directors are pleased with the Royal Decree, which is an historic milestone. What is being carried out is an audacious move. We are not going to stand for it.”