La Liga takes legal action against Players’ Union over 15-Second protest | OneFootball

La Liga’s conflict with players escalates

La Liga takes legal action against Players’ Union over 15-Second protest

La Liga has filed court case to decide whether brief player stoppage in matchday 9 was illegal strike or symbolic protest.

Dispute between La Liga & AFE reaches court

Tensions between La Liga & the Spanish footballers union AFE have entered new and serious phase after the league officially decided to take the matter to court.

According to information reported by AS, La Liga has asked judge to rule on whether first division players committed “illegal strike” during matchday 9 of the season.

The case focuses on the moment when players across several matches stopped playing for 15 second immediately after kick off.

La Liga considers this action clear violation of the law while AFE insists that it was merely peaceful & symbolic form of protest.

Players say it was symbolic, Not a strike

The players union has strongly rejected the idea that the stoppage was unlawful strike.

AFE argues that the 15 second pause was legal gesture of expression and cannot be treated as work stoppage in the formal sense.

The union believes the protest was meant to send message not to disrupt the competition.

La Liga however says the action crossed legal line and must be judged accordingly.

Root of the conflict: Miami match plan

The dispute began after La Liga attempted to move the match between Villarreal & Barcelona to Miami in December.

Players claim the decision made without proper information or consultation with the union.

The plan caused major controversy and was eventually abandoned but it created deep mistrust between La Liga leadership and the players representatives.

In response LaLiga players organized the 15 second stoppage at the start of matchday 9 as clear protest against how decisions were being taken.

Tebas & Aganzo clash over responsibility

After the American project collapsed and the organizing company Relevant withdrew, a direct meeting took place between La Liga officials & AFE leaders.

AFE president David Aganzo repeated that the action was not illegal strike. La Liga president Javier Tebas responded firmly saying he was waiting for the court’s decision.

Although LaLiga initially considered demanding financial compensation estimated at €8 million, the league later stepped back from that claim during mediation talks leaving open the possibility of negotiated solution.

Mediation failed, Legal battle begins

Both sides attempted to avoid court action through mediation at SIMA, the Spanish labor arbitration body.

The meeting lasted over hour but ended without agreement, with each side holding its position.

La Liga has now moved forward with legal escalation even as AFE says it has not yet received the full complaint file.

The union remains confident that its stance will be supported under Spanish law.

Bigger than 15 Second

This case goes beyond short protest on the pitch. It reflects wider struggle over: