Wednesday 13 May 2015 11:12, UK
The end of the Spanish football season could be seriously disrupted by a players’ strike over a new TV law.
The high court meets on Wednesday to determine whether the proposed strike from May 16 – which could see the cancellation or postponement of the final two La Liga matchdays and Copa del Rey final - would be legal or not.
Here’s our guide to the situation…
Why are the players’ union in Spain threatening a strike?
The players’ union in Spain (AFE) are protesting against a new TV rights law and have threatened to go on strike indefinitely from May 16.
They feel the new TV ruling was made without their interests being taken into account.
The Spanish league (LFP), which represents 42 clubs from the top two divisions in Spain, have filed a petition to the courts to have the strike declared illegal.
What does the new TV deal involve?
Unlike in any of Europe’s other top leagues, TV rights in Spain are currently marketed by individual clubs. However, under the new law, future domestic TV rights would be distributed through collective bargaining.
The current rules favour Real Madrid and Barcelona, whose matches are sought after by TV companies. Smaller clubs, however, receive less money from the TV deals they can agree.
Poorer teams have argued collective bargaining will help them financially, and legislation was signed off in cabinet last month to create a more level playing field.
The new deal would come into play from the 2016/17 season and would still be weighted towards the richer and more successful clubs – but to a lesser extent.
When will a decision be made?
A Spanish court could decide the legality of the strike on Wednesday. The AFE and LFP have been summoned to make a court appearance and Spanish media reported a decision could come the same day or on Thursday.
The strike is due to start on Friday, so time is short.
What is the likely outcome?
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told Sky Sports News HQ the outcome of the court case is far from clear, but there was a growing feeling in the country that a strike may not be the best course of action.
Players, managers and clubs are starting to doubt a strike is a good decision and there’s a lot of pressure on players to stop that strike.
“The high court is analysing whether the accusations of the league that the strike is illegal is so,” he said. “If that is the case they will cancel the strike.
“What’s happening in the last few hours is that players, managers and clubs are starting to doubt a strike is a good decision and there’s a lot of pressure on players to stop that strike. But that’s just pressure. We’ll see what the high court says.
“There are no plans to meet anymore before Friday evening when the strike starts and the danger is, if there is a strike, the games they are missing won’t count. In working law, if you’re not working because of a strike, you don’t go back and do it again.”
The penultimate round of La Liga matches is on Sunday and leaders Barcelona can make sure of a fifth title in seven years with a win at last season's champions Atletico Madrid. The game is scheduled to be live on Sky Sports 5 HD from 5.30pm.
Barca are also through to the Copa del Rey final at the end of the month, where they face Athletic Bilbao.
