La Liga players to stage on-field protest over decision to play league game in US
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La Liga players to stage on-field protest over decision to play league game in US
"Players plan to pause for 15 seconds after kickoff in games in the ninth round held from Friday through Monday, Spanish media reported. The players' union said in a statement that the players will protest in a symbolic fashion to denounce the lack of transparency, dialogue and coherence of La Liga regarding the possibility of playing a game in the United States."
"Earlier Friday, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and his players were not pleased at having to travel 7,200km (4,500 miles) to play a regular season game. My players are not happy, I am not happy, but La Liga decided that we will play this game, Flick said at a press conference in reply to a question about his position on the game."
"Barcelona president Joan Laporta has defended the move by saying it represents an opportunity to further push into the American sports market. But for Flick and his players, it represents added travel before a short winter break. Barcelona will also travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup starting on 7 January. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong also criticized playing the game in the US, saying players were already overloaded with travel and a packed playing calendar."
Players will protest staging the Barcelona‑Villarreal regular-season match in Miami by pausing for 15 seconds after kickoff in ninth-round games held Friday through Monday. The players' union called the action symbolic to denounce La Liga's lack of transparency, dialogue and coherence over playing in the United States. Captains of the 20 top-flight sides agreed with the protest, though the union did not ask Barcelona or Villarreal players to participate. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick and players criticized the 7,200km trip and extra travel before the winter break. Barcelona will also travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup on 7 January. La Liga president Javier Tebas defended overseas matches as revenue-boosting.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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