PLAYER STRIKE LOOMS LARGE OVER LA LIGA

Madrid, Aug. 24: 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,” said AFE president David Aganzo, once a striker on Madrid’s books.

The union say they hope to persuade league chiefs to change their minds at a meeting next month, with strike action promised if they do not get the outcome they are hoping for.

The AFE have also said that match scheduling is a concern, with Valencia’s opening weekend draw with Atletico Madrid one of two games played on Monday night.

Matches that do not finish until after midnight are also a feature of the start of the new season, with champions Barcelona’s Saturday match at Valladolid one such game this weekend.

Barca began their title defence by beating Alaves 3- 0 at the Camp Nou, with Lionel Messi scoring a brace, including a superb free- kick. Real Madrid go to Catalonia on Sunday to face Girona with Thibaut Courtois still waiting to make his debut in goal following his arrival from Chelsea. Atletico Madrid have a derby at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Footballers are not for sale. We don’t only think about money. — DAVID AGANZO Spanish players’ union president