La Liga players will stage symbolic protests at the start of most matches this weekend over the league's decision to play a match in the United States in December, the Spanish Footballers' Association said, quoted by "Reuters" agency, BTA reported.
Players from Oviedo and Espanyol stood motionless for the first 15 seconds of their La Liga clash on Friday night during the first protest, demanding greater transparency and dialogue from football authorities.
Barcelona and Villarreal players, whose teams are due to meet in Miami on December 20, have been excluded from the initiative, "to avoid the protest actions being interpreted as a possible measure against which "any club," the players' union said.
"Given the constant refusals and unrealistic proposals from La Liga, the Spanish Footballers' Association categorically rejects a project that does not have the approval of the main players in our sport," the association said in a statement.
Earlier this month, La Liga confirmed that Barcelona's away match against Villarreal would be held in Miami, USA, after the reluctant approval of European football's governing body UEFA. Real Madrid opposed the decision in August, saying it could undermine the competitive balance in football. The president of the Spanish Football Federation, Rafael Lusán, defended the decision to move the match on Thursday, calling it a "reward for the fans."
However, the Spanish Footballers' Association said it wanted the league's leadership to share information, analyze the "exceptional characteristics of the project" and respond to the needs and concerns of the players.