La Liga strike? 'Outraged' captains say NO to playing in the USA

Footballers in Spain have not ruled out strike action over a plan to stage a top-flight league match in the United States, says the players' union.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and 

Barcelona vice-captain Sergio Busquets 

were among the high-profile players to 

attend a meeting on Wednesday to 

discuss their "concern" over the issue.

La Liga agreed a 15-year deal with US 

media company Relevent on Friday.

The players' union - the AFE - says its 

members were not consulted by La Liga.

Players from all of the La Liga sides met 

in 

Madrid on Wednesday to discuss the 

issue with AFE president David Aganzo.

Among those in attendance were Ramos 

and Real Madrid team-mate Nacho, 

Barcelona duo Busquets and Sergi 

Roberto, Leo Baptistao from Espanyol, 

Bruno from Villarreal, and Atletico Madrid 

players Koke and Juanfran.

Aganzo said: "The problem is the lack of 

common sense, a schedule where only 

the 

export of soccer benefits - nobody counts 

on the fans. 

"We need to fix it with the bosses. The 

captains are outraged, they're against it, 

they are unanimous.

"It does not make sense. We are talking 

about an agreement that has a validity of 

15 years without consulting the players."

On the possibility of strike action, he 

added: "We will try not to reach that 

extreme but we are willing to go to the 

end 

if necessary."

Aganzo said the players would meet 

again 

in September.

Asked last week when the US-based 

match would take place, and whether it 

would be a regular fixture, La Liga told 

BBC 

Sport it "cannot confirm the teams, match, 

date or season".

The AFE said players "do not understand 

the unilateral decisions", adding: "La Liga 

is distancing the fans of the players, 

something that harms the show and the 

essence of football."

Who was in attendance?

AFE Board of Directors: David Aganzo 

(President), Jesús Barbadilla 'Jesule' 

(Vice 

President), Diego Rivas (Secretary 

General), Sergio Piña and Xavier Oliva.

Atlético Madrid: Juanfran and Koke.

Barcelona: Sergio Busquets and Sergi 

Roberto.

Real Betis: Joaquín Sánchez.

Espanyol: Leo Baptistao.

Getafe: Jorge Molina and Markel Bergara.

Huesca: Juanjo Camacho.

Leganés: Jon Ander Serantes, Unai 

Bustinza and Rubén Pérez.

Levante: Pedro López and José Luis 

Morales.

Rayo Vallecano: Alberto García and 

Adrián 

Embarba.

Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos and Nacho 

Fernández.

Real Sociedad: Asier Illarramendi.

Valencia: José Luis Gayà and Jaume 

Doménech.

Valladolid: Borja Fernández and Javi 

Moyano.

Villarreal: Bruno Soriano and Jaume 

Costa.