La Liga sides refuse to play for 15 seconds in protest

Spanish La Liga sides, Oviedo and Espanyol players refused to move for the first 15 seconds of their match on Friday as the teams staged a protest at the league organizer's decision to host a game in Miami

In August the Spanish football federation (RFEF) approved plans to move Villarreal's fixture against Barcelona to the Hard Rock Stadium on 20 December - a decision which sparked discontent in Spain.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) said in a statement they had co-ordinated with the captains of each La Liga club to "protest symbolically" against the league's "lack of transparency, dialogue and coherence".

La Liga refuted the accusations, external this week, stating a "willingness to meet" with the AFE to "foster useful dialogue that allows explaining the project".

The protest by Oviedo and Espanyol players was not shown on live television as cameras cut away to the exterior of the stadium.

The AFE said replica demonstrations will take place at the remaining La Liga games this weekend.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso, whose side play at Getafe on Sunday, said: "We are against the [Miami] match. We believe it distorts the competition.

"There hasn't been unanimity or consultation for it to be played on neutral ground. The protests are positive, and that sentiment is positive. We believe it could happen if there were unanimity, but that's not the case."

The AFE has not asked Barcelona and Villarreal players to participate in the protests to avoid it being "interpreted as a possible measure against any club".

It said: "In the face of La Liga's constant refusals and unrealistic proposals, the Spanish Footballers' Association categorically rejects a project that does not have the approval of the main players in our sport and demands that the employers' association create a negotiating table in which all information is shared and the exceptional characteristics of the project are analysed, the needs and concerns of the footballers are addressed, and the protection of their labour rights and compliance with current regulations are guaranteed."

Confirmation of the Miami game followed a decision by the Italian football federation (FIGC) to sanction a Serie A match between AC Milan and Como to be played in Perth, Australia, in February.

On Friday Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said: "My players are not happy. I am not happy. But La Liga decided that we will play this game."

Real expressed opposition when the fixture was announced, saying the consequences would be "so serious", while Uefa "reluctantly" approved the move.

This week RFEF president Rafael Louzan said the move was "good for football", while Barcelona president Joan Laporta said the match will "definitely be a great show".