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Protests staged by La Liga players this weekend against the league’s decision to move a match to the United States were largely kept off television, after the Spanish league reportedly asked broadcasters not to air them, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
Players across Spain’s top flight stood still for the opening 15 seconds of their matches, in a coordinated demonstration organised by the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE). The union announced on Friday that the protest was against La Liga’s plan to stage Villarreal’s home fixture against Barcelona in Miami on December 20, the first time a European league match would be held abroad.
During the televised matches, however, broadcasters were seen to avoid showing the demonstrations. At games in Oviedo and Barcelona, cameras cut away from the pitch to show exterior shots of the stadiums until the players began moving again. Other matches relied on tight overhead shots of the centre circle instead of wide-angle views of motionless teams.
An exception came during Sunday’s clash between Elche and Athletic Club, when Spanish network DAZN showed all 22 players standing still on the field. At Getafe’s home match against Real Madrid, fans’ chants protesting the Miami game were audible inside the stadium but muted on TV. Movistar in Spain and DAZN’s English-language coverage did show players standing motionless before kickoff.
La Liga’s match production is handled by HBS, under a long-term agreement with Mediapro. HBS did not respond to requests for comment, while La Liga declined to comment.
The AFE said the coordinated action had the support of club captains and was a “symbolic protest against La Liga’s lack of transparency, dialogue and consistency” regarding the league’s overseas expansion plans. The union added that it was rejecting “a project that does not have the approval of the main players in our sport” and criticised “La Liga’s constant refusals and unrealistic proposals.”
The gesture began in Friday night’s fixture between Oviedo and Espanyol and was repeated in all weekend matches, including Sevilla v Mallorca and Villarreal v Real Betis. Despite the AFE clarifying that Barcelona and Villarreal would not participate, as they were the two clubs directly involved, both teams ultimately joined the protest. “We were not involved in this protest, but we did it out of respect for our fellow footballers,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri said after his team’s win over Girona.
Supporters across multiple stadiums applauded during the brief silence, though whistles were also heard.
Since the 2016–17 season, La Liga has enforced detailed television production rules to enhance visibility and consistency of broadcasts worldwide. Match directors, assigned to every fixture, are responsible for ensuring compliance and raising any incidents with league officials.
The regulations also require clubs to notify La Liga in advance of any special gestures, such as tributes or moments of silence, to “integrate it into the match countdown and avoid potential delays.” In this case, however, the initiative came from the players’ union rather than the clubs themselves.
Referee reports from Friday’s protest at Oviedo made no mention of the incident, though later reports during the weekend included notes on the 15-second pauses.
The proposed Miami fixture has continued to divide opinion. Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso said on Saturday that he opposed the plan because “it distorts the competition,” adding: “There has been no unanimity among the teams to play on neutral ground, there has been no consultation. The protests are positive because it is something that many clubs feel. If there is unanimity, then go ahead (with taking games abroad), but that is not the case.”
La Liga’s initiative mirrors similar ambitions in Italy, where Serie A hopes to hold a February fixture between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia. UEFA recently approved both leagues’ proposals, noting “regulatory gaps at global level.”
Other top leagues remain hesitant. The German Bundesliga has ruled out moving games abroad, while the Premier League abandoned its “39th game” concept after fan backlash in 2008.
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Ibrahima Toure, Pexels / El gringo
