In the quarter-final second leg of the Copa del Rey in Spain, the match between Spanish side Racing Santander and Real Sociedad kicked off today, but the Racing players refused to play — and instead stood in the center circle in protest against their club owner. The substitutes and coaches also lined up in unison near the touchline.
When the ball was put out of play, the Racing players refused to take a throw-in, so the referee abandoned the match.
The Racing players are protesting against the club owner because they allege the players haven’t been paid in four months. The Racing supporters who were at the ground shared their solidarity with the players, with the supporters cheering the decision to not play.
Their opponents, Real Sociedad, will now play in the semi-final of the cup tournament. Meanwhile, pressure will be sure to mount on the Racing Santander club owner after these embarrassing scenes.
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Brian
January 31, 2014 at 1:21 pm
A lot of unbalance in revenue for many club except two in Spain. Especially with TV royalties.
loranmishe
January 30, 2014 at 6:27 pm
honestly i felt really sorry for the owners of the club and at the same time wouldn’t blame either parties, they all ought to have sorted whatever negativities in-club and not without.
S04th
January 31, 2014 at 6:51 am
You feel sorry for Ahsan Ali Syed? Go read Sid Lowe’s piece on the subject before doling out any blame to the players here.
Patrick
January 30, 2014 at 4:34 pm
Good on them for taking a stand