Spanish Footballers' Union AFE and LaLiga Deadlocked Over Collective Agreement Negotiations
Negotiations for a new collective agreement between LaLiga and the Spanish footballers' union AFE are stalled. The dispute centers on whether rival union Futbolistas ON, which received less than 10% of player votes, can sit at the bargaining table under Spain's new Sports Law. AFE, holding 93% support, rejects LaLiga's proposal to include Futbolistas ON without a vote. The deadlock also involves player protests over a proposed match in Miami. Mediation at SIMA is scheduled for June 29.
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Spanish Footballers' Association Sues LaLiga Over Collective Agreement Negotiation
The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) announced it will file a collective dispute lawsuit against LaLiga, citing LaLiga's refusal to establish a negotiating committee for the Collective Agreement of the First and Second Division. The decision follows a failed mediation session at the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA). AFE argues that LaLiga is violating the 17th provision of the Sports Law by refusing to recognize AFE as the sole legitimate union, based on a majority vote by players from 42 clubs. LaLiga responded by stating its commitment to dialogue and noted that a 5% representativeness threshold from a 2019 transactional agreement is still valid, and that the legal matter over the 10% threshold should be resolved by courts. LaLiga also suggested AFE should sue rival union Futbolistas ON instead.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAFE Files Lawsuit Against LaLiga Over Collective Bargaining Negotiations
The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) announced it will file a collective conflict lawsuit against LaLiga following a failed mediation session at the Interconfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA). AFE accuses LaLiga of refusing to form a negotiating committee for the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the First and Second Divisions, citing the 17th additional provision of the Sports Law which requires a 10% representation threshold based on player votes. AFE claims it is the only union entitled to negotiate after winning a majority vote among footballers from 42 dressing rooms. LaLiga defends its position, stating it called a meeting on June 12 and proposed solutions, but argues the current agreement contains a 5% threshold from a 2019 Transactional Agreement signed by both parties. LaLiga claims neutrality on the legal dispute and says the courts should resolve the conflict over which threshold applies. The dispute centers on whether the 10% legal threshold or the 5% conventional threshold governs union representation in negotiations.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAFE Union Files Lawsuit Against LaLiga Over Collective Bargaining Agreement Stalemate
The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) has announced it will file a lawsuit against LaLiga after mediation failed at the SIMA on June 29, 2026. The dispute centers on LaLiga's alleged refusal to form a negotiating committee for a new collective bargaining agreement for First and Second Division players. AFE claims LaLiga is violating Article 17 of Spain's Sports Law, which designates majority-supported unions as legitimate negotiators. AFE received 93.14% of valid player votes in a recent election, while rival union Futbolistas ON received only 6.2%. AFE accuses LaLiga president Javier Tebas of trying to include an illegitimate union in negotiations, arguing this disregards democracy and harms players by blocking improvements. This marks the second court confrontation between the two sides, following a 2025 conflict over the 'Miami Game' stoppage.
FútbolLaLiga and AFE to Hold New Mediation Session on June 29 at SIMA Over Collective Agreement Stalemate
Negotiations for the collective bargaining agreement between LaLiga and the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) for professional football in the First and Second Divisions remain deeply deadlocked. On June 29, the two parties will meet for a second mediation session at the Inter-Confederal Mediation and Arbitration Service (SIMA) in just a few months. The first session was requested by LaLiga due to a player protest against the Miami match; this one follows AFE's lawsuit alleging LaLiga's refusal to form the negotiating committee as required by the Sports Law. AFE argues that LaLiga's stance violates the right to collective bargaining. AFE, having won 93.1% of valid votes from players across 42 dressing rooms, asserts it is the only union entitled to negotiate, rejecting LaLiga's proposal to include rival union Futbolistas ON at the table without voice or vote.
FútbolProfessional Football Collective Agreement Remains Stalled Over Union Representation Dispute
The collective bargaining agreement for Spanish professional football, set to expire on June 30, remains frozen after a meeting between LaLiga and the two main unions, AFE and Futbolistas ON. The core dispute centers on whether Futbolistas ON, which received only 6.2% of player votes in recent elections, has the legal right to sit at the negotiating table. AFE, which won 93.1% support, argues that the new Sports Law (effective December 2022) requires a minimum of 10% representation for participation. Futbolistas ON cites a 2019 National Court ruling requiring only 5%. LaLiga proposed allowing Futbolistas ON to attend without voice or vote, but AFE rejected this, citing a January letter from LaLiga itself recognizing the 10% threshold. The negotiation remains stalled with no resolution in sight.
FútbolFootball Players' Collective Agreement Negotiations Blocked Over Union Representation Dispute
The first meeting to negotiate a new collective agreement for Spanish football players in the First and Second Divisions ended unsuccessfully, potentially leading to court. LaLiga convened the meeting, inviting both AFE (the winner with nearly 93% of the vote) and Futbolistas ON. AFE claims it is illegal to include Futbolistas ON at the negotiating table because it does not meet the 10% vote threshold required by the Sports Law, having received only about 7%. LaLiga argues there is a dispute over interpretations of the regulation, noting that the previous agreement set a 5% threshold. LaLiga proposed that Futbolistas ON participate with a voice but without a vote, but AFE rejected this, insisting on strict adherence to the Sports Law. The conflict is expected to be resolved in court.
F√∫tbol en AS.comLaLiga and AFE Collective Agreement Negotiations Halted
Negotiations for a new collective agreement between LaLiga (the Spanish football league employers) and the AFE (players' union) have stalled. The main points of contention include the scheduling of the season, with AFE insisting on respecting 21 days of vacation and a minimum three-week preseason for clubs, regardless of World Cup involvement. The dispute over the calendar is now before an external arbitrator, with a decision expected next week. Additionally, the negotiation of the new four-year collective agreement is deadlocked due to a disagreement over which unions can sit at the bargaining table. AFE won 93.1% of the valid votes in recent player elections, but the rival union Futbolistas ON is demanding a seat based on a 2019 court ruling. However, AFE argues that the new Sports Law (effective December 2022) requires a minimum of 10% representation, which only AFE meets. LaLiga does not object to both unions being present, but AFE insists the law is clear, halting progress on key issues like salary, vacations, and matches abroad.
FútbolTension Between AFE and LaLiga Over Footballers' Agreement Negotiations
The Spanish footballers' union AFE has accused LaLiga of refusing to negotiate a new collective agreement for players, alleging a blockade and an attempt to violate the Sports Law. AFE claims LaLiga wants to include the rival union Futbolistas ON at the negotiating table, despite the fact that Futbolistas ON failed to secure the 10% worker support required by law, receiving less than 5% in recent locker room elections compared to AFE's 93%. LaLiga denies refusing to negotiate, stating that the negotiating table is being formed and that including Futbolistas ON is part of that process. The dispute is significant as the new agreement could set conditions for LaLiga's proposed Miami Plan to hold a match in the United States, which was previously blocked by player protests.
Fútbol en AS.com