Lionel Messi ‘to lead protest against La Liga game in United States’
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is reportedly ready to lead a protest against the decision to play one La Liga match in the United States from as early as this season.
The Spanish top flight last week announced the groundbreaking plans to play a regular-season game outside of Spain as part of a new 15-year partnership with sports and entertainment group Relevant, who operate the pre-season International Champions Cup tournament.
However, AS reports that the players and Spanish Football Federation were not consulted on the issue and will oppose the plans.
Messi and the captains of the other 19 La Liga clubs – including Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos and Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid – will reportedly meet at the headquarters of the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) on Wednesday to draft a statement against the plan.
AFE president David Aganzo will then deliver the stance to La Liga counterpart Javier Tebas in the hope that the league will rethink its arrangements.
Exact details of the proposal have not yet been revealed, but there has been speculation that the deal could come into effect as early as this season.
