Players union demands share of Spanish league media rights income

The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), the union of professional players in Spain, has requested a five-per-cent share of any fee from future media rights deals struck by the Spanish Football League (LFP), according to media reports.

The AFE has confirmed its position as the Spanish government prepares to draft a new Professional Sports Act, which will include a section dedicated to the governance of football.

The league and the government are in talks over a new strategy for Spanish football, which includes the goal of introducing a more centralised media rights sales model. Spanish top-tier Liga clubs currently sell rights for their own matches individually.

The AFE is said to be requesting that its claim to a five-per-cent share of any future rights deal is included in the new Sports Act, which is expected to be presented to the Spanish cabinet for approval before the end of the year.

The union currently receives between €2.5m ($3.4m) and €3m from the LFP.