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LALIGA stars paused for 15 seconds at the beginning of last night’s match between Real Oviedo and Espanyol to protest a controversial decision by league officials.
However, this gesture was NOT broadcast on television, as the feed switched to an aerial view of the stadium instead.
Players stood still for the first 15 seconds of last night’s matchCredit: Getty
TV broadcasts opted to show an aerial shot of the stadium instead
Earlier this month, it was announced that a regular season match would take place in Miami on December 20. In response, the Spanish players’ union declared that players would stand still for the opening 15 seconds of matches this weekend to protest this decision.
A statement from the union indicated that players would “protest in a symbolic manner to condemn the lack of transparency, dialogue, and coherence from LaLiga regarding the possibility of playing a game in the United States.”
They further noted that all 20 LaLiga captains share the same position on the issue.
Although both Barcelona and Villarreal will not participate in this weekend's protests, they support the fundamental premise of the demonstration.
Last night’s match at Carlos Tartiere Stadium marked the opening game of the LaLiga weekend, making the 15-second protest the first of its kind.
Unfortunately for fans watching at home, they were unable to witness the gesture as television executives chose to focus on overhead shots of the stadium for a full 25 seconds.
Espanyol went on to win the match 2-0, thanks to second-half goals from Kike Garcia and Pere Milla.
Barcelona vs Villarreal is not the only significant European match relocated abroad this season. AC Milan is scheduled to play against Como, a team located just a 40-minute drive from San Siro, in Perth, Australia, this coming February.
Earlier this week, Euro officials explained that their ruling executive committee had “reluctantly made the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis,” the requests from both Spain and Italy, citing a lack of regulations to prevent the relocation of games.
However, Euro officials pledged to collaborate with stakeholders to “maintain the integrity of domestic competitions and the close relationship between clubs, their supporters, and local communities.”
Barcelona vs Villarreal will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in MiamiCredit: Getty
