November 19 – A strike by women footballers in Spain’s top division has been called off after an agreement to reopen negotiations over the on-going pay dispute in the top tier of the women’s game.
At the weekend all eight top-flight fixtures, including Barcelona’s trip to Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid’s visit to Valencia, were cancelled. But this weekend’s fixtures will go ahead, the Association of Women’s players (AFE) confirmed. “After the success of the strike, an agreement has been reached to work on the proposal,” said the AFE.
In October, a breakdown in talks over a minimum salary and part-time contracts led to almost 200 players from 16 clubs – about 93% of playing personnel – vote to strike after more than a year of failed negotiations.
The players are demanding a professional agreement that regulates minimum working conditions, rights to minimum wages and measures for maternity.
They want the minimum salary raised from €16,000 to €20,000 and part-time salaries set at a minimum of €12,000 – 75% of the minimum size for full-time contracts. The clubs argue that it should be €8,000.
Mediapro, the broadcaster which holds thePrimera Iberdrola’s broadcast rights for 12 of the 16 teams, had offered €1.5 million to fund the wage shortfall. The RFEF has proposed a sum of €500,000 per season to each of the 16 top-tier clubs in return for their media rights. Mediapro have said they would hand back their rights if the RFEF offer came to fruition and they could keep two games a week for their Gol channel.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1730539778labto1730539778ofdlr1730539778owedi1730539778sni@o1730539778fni1730539778