‘He Made It Very Clear That A Court Will Decide’ — La Liga Set For Legal Battle With Players’ Union Over ‘Illegal’ Miami Match Protests

‘He Made It Very Clear That A Court Will Decide’ — La Liga Set For Legal Battle With Players’ Union Over ‘Illegal’ Miami Match Protests

The long-running battle over La Liga’s cancelled Miami match has taken a sharp legal turn, with La Liga preparing to sue the Spanish players’ union (AFE) for what it calls an “illegal strike.”

The controversy stems from coordinated player protests during last weekend’s matches, where players stood still for the first 15 seconds of play — a move La Liga president Javier Tebas claims violated labour laws.

However, AFE president David Aganzo insists the action was not a strike but a symbolic gesture to protest the league’s lack of transparency over the ill-fated Miami project.

The Clash: La Liga Vs. AFE

According to Mundo Deportivo, tensions reached boiling point during a private meeting between Tebas and Aganzo. While Tebas refused public comment, Aganzo later confirmed the league’s intent to take legal action.

“We discussed how he said we were on strike,” Aganzo told reporters. “But we simply made a gesture that had nothing to do with a strike. According to him, it will be resolved in court. He made it very clear that a court will decide.”

The AFE president criticized the league for failing to properly consult players before announcing such a historic move — the first-ever La Liga fixture planned outside Spain.

“This meeting should have been held much earlier, not when it was already cancelled,” Aganzo added. “We pointed out the lack of transparency. These projects require conversation and maximum information if they’re to succeed.”

He concluded by reaffirming the union’s stance:

“I’m looking out for the players, for their labour rights. Common sense prevailed — our role is to defend those rights.”

Villarreal CEO Blames Real Madrid For Collapse

While the legal war brews, the fallout has sparked deep division among clubs. Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles has publicly blamed Real Madrid for sabotaging the Miami project, calling their opposition “hypocritical.”

Villarreal, the designated home team for the proposed fixture against Barcelona, had fully supported the plan to take Spanish football to the U.S. — a move that would have generated global attention and new revenue streams.

Speaking to Radio Marca, Roig Negueroles didn’t hold back:

“La Liga can make mistakes, but Real Madrid seems to be going against everyone. They’ve lost credibility even at the European level, but in Spain, the press still gives them too much attention.”

Madrid had opposed the overseas fixture from the start, arguing that it would “distort the competition.” Roig Negueroles accused the club of protesting out of habit rather than principle:

“I agree with them on some issues, but they lose legitimacy because they protest everything — even things that are good. Four years ago, they approved this same idea in a delegated committee, and now they’ve changed their minds. If something doesn’t benefit them directly, they’ll still protest.”

What’s Next For La Liga

The cancelled Miami match has reignited debate about La Liga’s international expansion strategy and the balance of power between clubs, players, and the league.

While Tebas remains determined to take Spanish football global, his confrontational approach continues to draw backlash — not only from the AFE but also from influential clubs like Real Madrid.

The court case between La Liga and the players’ union could now set a major precedent for how far league authorities can push commercial ventures without full player consent.

At Sports Market International, we follow the stories shaping the global sports market — where money, power, and passion collide. As La Liga’s courtroom drama unfolds, one thing is clear: Spanish football’s biggest battles aren’t always fought on the pitch.