"What seemed like a routine fixture quickly turned into a surprising moment of protest that has since made headlines across Spanish football. As soon as the referee, Mateo Busquets, blew his whistle to start the match, both Oviedo and Espanyol players stopped playing for around 15-20 seconds. The gesture was a coordinated protest against La Liga's decision to stage the Villarreal vs Barcelona fixture on December 20 in Miami, instead of at Villarreal's home ground, Estadio de la Ceramica."
"According to the AFE, this protest will continue across all La Liga matches throughout the weekend. However, players from Barcelona and Villarreal have been excluded from the initiative "to avoid the protest action being interpreted as a possible measure against any club." In their official statement, the AFE said, "The Spanish Footballers' Association categorically rejects a project that does not have the approval of the main players in our sport.""
La Liga resumed after the international break with Real Oviedo facing Espanyol as matchday 9 kicked off. Immediately after referee Mateo Busquets signalled the start, players from both teams halted play for roughly 15–20 seconds in a coordinated gesture. The stoppage protested LaLiga's plan to stage Villarreal versus Barcelona in Miami on December 20 instead of at Villarreal's Estadio de la Ceramica. The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) organised the action and intends to continue similar protests across the weekend, while excluding Barcelona and Villarreal players to avoid targeting any single club. The AFE condemned the decision as made without player approval.
Read at Barca Universal
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