Audiencia Nacional rules players’ Miami protest was not an illegal strike, setback for Tebas | OneFootball

The Audiencia Nacional has ruled that Primera División players’ 15-second protest over the proposed Villarreal-Barça in Miami was not an illegal covert strike.

According to Superdeporte, the tribunal found the action fell within the players’ freedom of expression and dismissed LaLiga’s attempt to have it declared unlawful.

The protest took place in matchweek nine, when club captains agreed to let the opening seconds elapse without playing. They argued LaLiga had not properly informed them of the Miami plan or involved them in the decision.

Days later, LaLiga and AFE met, and Javier Tebas told AFE president David Aganzo they viewed the stoppages as a covert, and therefore illegal, strike. By then promoter Relevent had cancelled the fixture amid uncertainty, including Real Madrid’s move to challenge it in court and unease among players, including those from the two clubs involved.

In early December, LaLiga filed for conciliation at SIMA. Mediation on 16 December ended without agreement, with Aganzo attending and Tebas absent, after which the case went to the Audiencia Nacional.

The ruling is not final. LaLiga plans a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court, seeking clarity over these rights in professional football and protection of competition integrity and audiovisual interests.

Source: Superdeporte