Official statement

In relation to the statement published by the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) under the title “AFE demands transparency, coherence and respect from LALIGA”, LALIGA deems it necessary to clarify some aspects:

AFE states in its communiqué that “LALIGA, FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF have declined to meet with the union,” and that such attitude would constitute a “lack of respect” toward the players.

In view of this, LALIGA wishes to record that at no time has there been a refusal to hold such meeting. On the contrary, from first contact, once it was found impossible to attend on the scheduled date — neither in person nor remotely — due to previously acquired and unpostponable schedule commitments affecting matters of vital importance, full willingness was expressed by LALIGA to participate in the meeting, proposing up to three alternative dates to facilitate its holding and to guarantee the effective attendance of all parties.

In no case has there been a “no‑show” (“plantón”) or lack of will on the part of LALIGA. Rather, as stated in one of the communications sent by the President of LALIGA, the schedule incompatibility “was communicated immediately and in good faith, accompanied by several alternatives for their consideration.”

However, AFE has rigidly upheld a date unilaterally established, despite having been previously informed of the inability to attend such meeting on that date due to schedule constraints. One who does not offer alternatives nor shows disposition to reach consensus, scheduling meetings unilaterally, demonstrates a real lack of will to dialogue. In short, unilaterally maintaining a summons with prior knowledge of the schedules makes effective dialogue impossible.

Likewise, from LALIGA it is regretted the change of criterion and the contradictions observed in the latest communications “which hinder the achievement of the primary objective of the meeting: to foster a useful dialogue that allows explaining the project.”

For all these reasons, LALIGA reiterates its willingness to meet on any of the alternative dates already proposed or on any other that AFE considers appropriate and compatible with institutional agendas and the demands of the competition.

Likewise, LALIGA has historically maintained a relationship of cooperation with AFE, and in any case, without prejudice to considering the provisions of the Collective Agreement, this cannot lead to considering that there is a contractual obligation to submit to AFE’s will the holding, venue or organization of an official match. Additionally, the initiative to hold the match in the United States has been processed in accordance with the applicable normative procedure before the national and international bodies.

On the other hand, LALIGA has transmitted to AFE various proposals based on projects put forward in the past and aligned with what AFE itself requested, which must be specified in collaboration with it.

It suffices to recall that, within the 2018 project, LALIGA proposed scheduling the travel in the weeks prior to the event of the so‑called AFE Spain Selection (made up of players who at that time were without a club) for holding a “stage” in which several friendly matches and training sessions would take place.

Such types of experiences, in the past as AFE knows, have proven very positive, and one only has to recall the projects carried out in China, Poland as well as various tournaments (FIFPRO) abroad which culminated in signings of more than 70 unemployed players in top‑division clubs in Poland, Greece and other countries, as well as a coach of the AFE Selection project. Therefore, it is evident that the said activation may become a great platform or opportunity for our players. In short, the internationalization of the competition benefits the entire ecosystem of national football, including the players.

LALIGA denies any violation of Law 39/2022, on sport. Attributing to LALIGA obligations of transparency or publication that do not correspond to the content of Article 61 of Law 39/2022 is inaccurate. That provision regulates active publicity obligations which LALIGA already complies with, without supporting claims outside its literal tenor. Likewise, to assert that the project violates Article 8 of the Collective Agreement lacks foundation: there is no conventional impediment to scheduling a match abroad, and the regime of concentrations and travel can be organized in time and form compatible with the labor obligations of the players, guaranteeing their rest, safety and working conditions.

LALIGA firmly defends the general interest of the competition, sporting integrity and compliance with the regulations, and does so from the conviction that orderly and responsible internationalization strengthens Spanish football, generates opportunities for clubs and athletes and enhances the prestige of our competitions. That ambition is compatible — and thus will be guaranteed — with absolute respect for players’ rights and coordination with regulatory bodies.

Consequently, LALIGA requests that AFE return to the framework of useful and constructive dialogue, with respect for the facts and the rules. The path to moving forward is not public confrontation based on inaccurate interpretations, but loyal collaboration, the search for solutions and joint work to ensure that any initiative is implemented with full guarantees for the players and for the benefit of the entire football ecosystem.

LALIGA reiterates its immediate willingness to schedule a meeting on a mutually agreed date, to provide all pertinent information within the applicable regulatory framework and to continue working, with rigor and transparency, for the strengthening of professional Spanish football.