Football: Spain players, clubs in last-ditch talks

MADRID: Players and clubs in Spain’s top two divisions held a last-ditch meeting to try to avert a strike threatening the first two match days of the season. Footballers including world stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have vowed not to play when the season starts today because of a row over unpaid salaries. The Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) is demanding a wage guarantee and that players be allowed to break their contracts if they are not paid for three consecutive months. Talks to resolve the dispute broke down earlier without a deal and much of the Spanish media is betting a strike for the first two match days will go ahead.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2011.