La Liga 13-14

[Darkon]

And a bit suprising as well! They seem less effective than the Guardiola era, although the possession percentage is not really significantly different.

[danperkins]

http://asia.eurosport.com/football/copa-del-rey/2013-2014/racing-santander-v-real-sociedad-copa-del-rey-live_sto4115582/story.shtml

Racing Santander vs Real Soceidad abandoned after Santander players refused to play as they haven't been paid in over 3 months. Soceidad go through to play Barca.

[Liverpel]

In an incredible scene, Racing Santander refused to play in their Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad on Thursday, Jan. 30, in protest against the club's board.

According to Sky Sports, captain Mario Fernandez had explained that his squad had not been paid for months. Spanish professional footballers union president Luis Rubiales then explained Racing's willingness to boycott their quarterfinal match:

If at 2100 the Racing board is the same as now, they will not play.

The squad decided something last Monday which they made public, and they continue thinking exactly the same, that if the current board have not resigned by the time of the game they are not going to play. They have the complete backing of the AFE, as always.

When the match started, the players stood by their word and refused to play:



Inside La Liga added this interesting tidbit:


According to Rik Sharma of the Daily Mail, Real Sociedad will now advance to the Copa del Rey semifinals to face Barcelona after the forfeit. They held a 3-1 lead after the first leg before Racing Santander refused to play in the second leg.

Racing have a proud history featuring regular play in Spain's first division. From 1993 to 2012, they competed in La Liga for all but one season.

Unfortunately, they have been relegated in consecutive years to drop to Segunda Division B.

Meanwhile, issues with the board and team president Angel Lavin have created even more problems for the Spanish club. The fact that the squad had not been paid is a dramatic example of how bad things had gotten.

Andrew Orsatti of FIFPro explained that the worldwide football representation organization will stand by the players:


It remains to be seen how the club's hierarchy will handle the situation, but it is clear changes must be made at Racing Santander before the squad will return to the pitch.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1942629-racing-santander-players-refuse-to-play-postponing-match-vs-real-sociedad

[john316]

[ame="https://twitter.com/barcastuff/status/429195626069258240"]https://twitter.com/barcastuff/status/429195626069258240[/ame]

Sounding like Musical Chairs for Pepe and he's the odd man out!

[Bender]

The new Santiago Bernabéu stadium

[Pablo]

It's getting slagged off on Twitter for looking like a lunchbox , but I quite like it.

[dom9]

The new Santiago Bernabéu stadium

Wow. I like. Indoor pitch though?

[dom9]

It's getting slagged off on Twitter for looking like a lunchbox , but I quite like it.

I reckon it's more like a sandwich toaster. A George Forman grill maybe.

[Bender]

[Darkon]

"The Lunchbox"

[Fosterbloke]

Awaits lawsuit from Apple

[Liverpool]

currently looks **** but seems a waste of money just to do it up

[Shaggy]

Barca lost 3-2 at home to Valencia

[Liverpel]

Barca lost 3-2 at home to Valencia

Spoilers Shaggy?

Sky are showing this at 6pm.

[Shaggy]

**** sorry, had no idea. Though not the smartest move coming into the La Liga thread if you knew it was delayed coverage.