The 15-second boycott protest of La Liga led to the collective action of the players' association...Player coach resistance spreads to U.S. hosting unprecedented league game

Oct 18, 2025

The 15-second boycott protest of La Liga led to the collective action of the players' association...Player coach resistance spreads to U.S. hosting unprecedented league game
epa12461093 Real Oviedo's Salomon Rondon (L) in action against Espanyol's Kike Garcia (R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Oviedo and RCD Espanyol, in Oviedo, Spain, 17 October 2025. EPA/Paco Paredes<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지>



The 15-second boycott protest of La Liga led to the collective action of the players' association...Player coach resistance spreads to U.S. hosting unprecedented league game
epa12461094 Real Oviedo's Salomon Rondon (R) in action against Espanyol's Leandro Cabrera (2-R) during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Oviedo and RCD Espanyol, in Oviedo, Spain, 17 October 2025. EPA/Paco Paredes<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지>
In Spain's Primera Liga, the struggle continues over the unprecedented 'League match overseas hosting'.

According to Spanish media on the 18th (Korea time), some players in La Liga are planning a collective action against the decision of the La Liga Federation and UEFA to hold the regular league in the United States.

La Liga has previously sought to host part of the league matches overseas, not Spain. With the aim of expanding the scope of the box office, clubs who expected an increase in sales, such as ticket sales, also agreed.




As a result, it was announced that the 19th round match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona scheduled for December would be relocated to Miami, USA, and UEFA also approved the hosting of the match abroad as an exception.

However, he faced strong opposition from the players. Spain's Professional Footballers Association issued a statement on the 18th and "Our players criticize the league's lack of transparency, dialogue and consistency over its decision to host league games in the United States. It will act symbolically in protest" he proclaimed.

Players are opposing the idea, citing the accumulation of fatigue caused by long-distance travel or the loss of neutrality in the competition.




The 15-second boycott protest of La Liga led to the collective action of the players' association...Player coach resistance spreads to U.S. hosting unprecedented league game
epa12461377 Players of Espanyol celebrate the 0-2 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Oviedo and RCD Espanyol, in Oviedo, Spain, 17 October 2025. EPA/Paco Paredes<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지>
The 15-second boycott protest of La Liga led to the collective action of the players' association...Player coach resistance spreads to U.S. hosting unprecedented league game
epa12461331 Real Oviedo's Eric Bailly (R) in action against Espanyol's Roberto Fernandez during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Oviedo and RCD Espanyol, in Oviedo, Spain, 17 October 2025. EPA/Paco Paredes<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지>
The players' association's collective protest display was immediately revealed in the ninth round of La Liga this weekend. The players decided not to play for 15 seconds after the whistle of the kickoff. All the captains of the 20 clubs in the league reportedly agreed.

This is why the play was suspended for 15 seconds immediately after the kickoff whistle in the match between Oviedo and Espanyol at 4 a.m. However, in the broadcast, the protest was not transmitted while the video outside the pitch was transmitted for the first 25 seconds.

The leaders seem to agree with the players' protest. Barcelona coach Han Ji-flick said in a media interview that `My players are not happy and I am not. But the federation decided to play in the United States."




Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone also said, `I don't want to comment on the U.S. hosting. Because I can't believe it until I see it with my eyes", he responded negatively.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.