Spain Government Optimistic of Avoiding La Liga Strike

Jaime Lissavetsky, Secretary of State for Sport in Spain, has claimed that he remains optimistic that next month’s proposed La Liga strike can be avoided.

The Spanish Football League (LFP) is threatening to postpone the round of matches scheduled for April 2-3 in protest against broadcast regulations. The row came about with Spanish clubs seeking to enhance their position ahead of negotiations for new media rights deals with the backing of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

Current regulations state that one La Liga game per match day must be shown on free-to-air television, though the LFP is currently in talks with the Spanish government with the aim of scrapping the system. The LFP hopes to abolish the ruling ahead of the 2012-13 season and Lissavetsky is confident a resolution can be found to the current stand-off.

In quotes reported by Reuters, Lissavetsky stated: “It isn’t a strike, it’s a lockout. In the end, I think through dialogue, common sense, and by working together it can be overcome.”

He added: “With maximum respect for the LFP and clubs I’m not going to say anything that may disrupt this process. I’m always optimistic. When the players threatened a strike there was an extraordinary effort by everyone (to avoid it).”