Spanish football players are preparing to protest La Liga’s decision to hold a match in the United States, with demonstrations anticipated at games this weekend, including the upcoming clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The players’ union, AFE, announced the action on Friday, calling for players to delay the start of matches for 15-20 seconds after the opening whistle.
the protest stems from La Liga’s unilateral decision to stage the Villarreal-Barcelona match on December 21st in Miami. AFE argues the league acted without consulting the players, raising concerns about the impact of international travel and scheduling on athlete welfare and competitive fairness. This dispute highlights a growing tension between La Liga’s ambitions for global expansion and the rights of its players.
The first demonstration occurred Friday in the Real Oviedo-Espanyol match, where players initially refrained from engaging with the ball for approximately 15 seconds after the kickoff. Local television broadcasters reportedly attempted to minimize visibility of the protest by initially focusing on wide-angle stadium shots before resuming normal coverage after 21 seconds, coinciding with the ball entering play.
AFE formally communicated the protest action on October 17, 2025, via a statement and accompanying Twitter post. The union’s statement details the players’ objections to the overseas game and their commitment to demonstrating their disapproval across multiple La Liga fixtures this weekend.The outcome of these protests and the future of La Liga’s international plans remain uncertain.
