Football: Spanish players extend strike

“The two sides remain far from agreement,” said spokesperson for the Association of Spanish Footballers.

MADRID:

Spanish league footballers will extend their strike over pay to the second day of the new season next weekend.

“The strike will continue for the second day of the season,” said Luis Gil, spokesperson for the Association of Spanish Footballers. Spain’s top football clubs had been meeting with players to prevent the strike spreading to a second match day in the Primera Liga.

“The two sides remain far from agreement,” said Gil. Players in the first and second divisions - including stars such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - went on strike on the first match day and delayed the season start for the first time in 27 years.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd,  2011.