Threat of players’ strike casts a shadow over new La Liga season

MADRID: The prospect of a player strike hangs over Spanish football heading into the second week of the season, as Barcelona and Real Madrid look to build on winning starts to the campaign.

La Liga bosses dropped a bombshell on the eve of the campaign when they announced their intention to stage top-flight matches in the United States, starting from this season.

However, a move announced as part of attempts to improve the Spanish league’s global popularity has this week been attacked by the country’s players union, AFE.

“Footballers are not for sale. We don’t only think about money. We are worried for supporters. We see football in a different way. Going to the United States is madness,” said AFE president David Aganzo.

INDIA VS SYDNEY FC

NEW DELHI: The Indian football team will face a tough test when it takes on defending A-League Premier Champions Sydney FC in a friendly match on August 28 as part of its exposure tour of Australia. India are also scheduled to play APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC and Rydalmere Lions FC on August 25 and 31 respectively. “Sydney FC are the current A-League Premiers Champion and the best-performing club over the last three years. It will be a huge test for us and we are ready for that,” India head coach Stephen Constantine said.

FIFA SANCTION

GENEVA: FIFA hit the Palestinian Football Association chief with a year-long “match” ban after he called for protests against Lionel Messi over plans for Argentina to play Israel in Jerusalem.

FIFA sanctioned PFA president Jibril Rajoub for breaching codes against “inciting hatred and violence... following media statements he gave calling on fans to target the Argentinian Football Association and burn jerseys and pictures of Messi.”