By Alex O’Loughln
August 14 – Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has criticised the financial disparities between the ‘top two’ in La Liga and the remaining 18 teams who boast Primera Division status.
The 2013-14 campaign will mark ten years since a club other than los Blancos or the Blaugrana won the La Liga title, when Rafael Benitez’s Valencia claimed the Primera Division title in 2004.
The former FIFA World Coach of the Year believes the economic differences no longer just affect club infrastructure, with Barcelona and Real Madrid receiving significantly more money than the rest of the league.
“The economic differences between the clubs are now so massive that they have moved on to the playing field”, said del Bosque.
Del Bosque, who guided Real Madrid to two La Liga titles, hopes for greater competitiveness in the domestic game from the likes of Atlético Madrid and Sevilla, but admits it is unlikely.
He said: “It would be great to see this happening, but I do not think it will.”
Last season’s champions Barcelona finished 15 points ahead of runners-up Real Madrid whilst Jose Mourinho’s side ended the campaign 9 points ahead of rivals Atlético despite languishing behind them at one stage.
Valencia, champions in 2004, finished fifth, 35 points behind Barca.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734845210labto1734845210ofdlr1734845210owedi1734845210sni@n1734845210ilhgu1734845210olo.x1734845210ela1734845210. Alex is assistant editor of www.laliganews.tv