LaLiga has announced a 15-year partnership with Relevent, a multinational media, sports and entertainment group that will see clubs play regular season games in USA and Canada. The agreement states that at least one La Liga match will be played across the Atlantic, making it the first European league fixture to be played outside of the continent.
Speaking to reporters (via the Mirror), Relevent chairman Stephen Ross revealed his excitement about the deal.
“This extraordinary joint venture is the next giant leap in growing soccer’s popularity in North America. This unique relationship will create new opportunities for millions of North American soccer fans to experience the most passionate, exciting, and highest level of soccer in the world.”
The partnership will see the beginning of a new group called ‘LaLiga North America’ which aims to bring the two footballing cultures together ahead of the Fifa World Cup 2026 in North America.
La Liga official statement regarding the agreement, states that “North America has exclusive rights and obligations to represent La Liga across the U.S and Canada in all business and development activities. Called LaLiga North America, the newly founded organization will work to cultivate soccer culture in the U.S and Canada using the unequalled assets of LaLiga, the world’s best soccer league featuring internationally recognized clubs and players.
The Statement continued, “Moreover, North America will be exposed to the unparalleled Spanish soccer culture, renowned for its passion, drama, history, flair and creativity. The agreement marks an inflection point for soccer – the world’s most popular sport in numbers of participants and spectators – in the U.S and Canada. The announcement comes on the back of a successful 2018 Fifa World Cup, which featured players from every club in the Spanish first division, and in anticipation of the 2026 Fifa World Cup that will be hosted in North America.”
The dates and locations, as well as the teams involved are yet to be revealed but the Real Madrid and Barcelona is expected to be given priority. The 50-50 joint venture is a 15-year deal between La Liga and Relevent – who have been behind the International Champions Cup (ICC). The first game abroad is set take place this season.
Check Out Spanish La Liga 2017/2018 Schedule
Spanish La Liga’s 2017/2018 fixtures have been released. The season will kick off on Sunday 20th August.
Credit: http://sportsmaza.com
La Liga refuse to accept payment of Neymar's £222m release clause.
Neymar’s world-record deal will not be completed anytime soon as La Liga have refused to accept payment of the Brazilian’s £222m release clause ahead of his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Neymar’s representatives, Juan de Dios Crespo and Marcos Motta were at the league’s headquarters in Madrid to make the deposit but La Liga president, Javier Tebas, reportedly threatened and declined to accept the payment.
“We can confirm that the player’s lawyers came to the La Liga offices this morning to deposit the clause and that it has been rejected,” “That’s all the information we are giving out at this moment.” A statement read.
“The LFP is surprised and does not understand the refusal of La Liga to simply accept the payment of the release clause for the player Neymar. The LFP asks La Liga to abide by the Fifa rules and its responsibilities. The LFP supports Paris Saint-Germain and wishes Neymar to join Ligue 1. The legal services of the LFP are in support and at the disposal of Paris Saint-Germain so that the Neymar contract is approved as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, PSG have paid Neymar’s €222 million release cause in full to Barcelona. This development was revealed by the club in a statement on their website on Thursday afternoon.
‘On Thursday afternoon Neymar Jr’s legal representatives visited in person the Club’s offices and made the payment of 222 million euros in the player’s name with regards to the unilateral termination of the contract that united both parties. As such, the Club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case.’
Photos: La Liga, LMC seal partnership pact in Nigeria
A delegation of the Spanish League, La Liga Board arrived Abuja, Nigeria today to seal a partnership pact with the League Management Company (LMC). The two Bodies signed a memorandum of understanding for a partnership that will cover exchange of knowledge, trainings for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Club Coaches and Administrators, La Liga and NPFL Clubs’ exchanges, marketing, commercial, promotional activities and Youth Development.
Photo Credit: www.twitter.com/LMCNPFL
Check out La Liga fixtures for 2015/2016 season
The 2015/2016 edition of the Spanish La Liga season kicked off yesterday, 21st August with a game between Malaga and Sevilla. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid have games tomorrow. The League Champions will look to turn their defeat around when they face Athletico Bilbao having beaten by the latter twice, it’s their third clash in a week . Real Madrid will take on newly promoted Sporting Gijon. Below are La Liga fixtures for the entire season. the 2015/2016 La Liga season promises to be 35 weeks of absolute entertainment and excitement.
Like i mentioned a week ago, the Predict and Win Airtime segment has kicked off on this blog, all you have to do is to monitor the blog for the post, predict the scoreline of matches and win N1,000 airtime. Last week, no one got the scoreline for the Chelsea Vs Manchester City game as many believed Chelsea would thrash City.
Barcelona pay tribute to Xavi as they celebrate title win.
Barcelona midfield maestro, Xavi Hernandez bade an emotional farewell to Camp Nou today. It was the final game of the season and his last La Liga game at Barcelona FC (as he has two more to go). After the game ended, players took to the field to celebrate a well-deserved title win.
Moments before the kick-off, a huge banner of the legend was displayed by fans in the stadium.
The 35-year-old joined the Spanish club at age 11 in 1991 before making his debut in 1998. He has won 8 La Liga titles, 2 Spanish Cups and 3 Champions League trophies.
He will be joining Al-Sadd an Arabian club next season.
The Spaniard who was overwhelmed with tears gave a touching speech before joining the rest of his teammates in celebrating the title win.
“Many thanks for everything. You’ve made me the proudest man in the world, today and in those 17 seasons. This is the best club in the world. This isn’t over yet. As the coach said, we want the Cup and the Champions League too. I tried to control my emotions, but in the end it wasn’t possible. I’ll miss everything about Barça.” He said.
La Liga suspended over TV rights
The Spanish football federation has suspended of all of its fixtures, including La Liga matches, over TV rights. The planned suspension which will commence on May 16 will carry on indefinitely. The implication here is some of the remaining matches in the season would be postponed and this might also lead to players in different clubs leaving
for other leagues.
Below is La Liga’s statement on the issue news:
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has been negotiating several key issues with the Spanish government in the past few months, including a new TV deal that would see league income spread more evenly among all clubs, as reported by NBC Pro Soccer Talk’s Joe Prince-Wright .
Negotiations were slow, to the frustration of both players and the RFEF, and as reported by ESPN FC’s Dermot Corrigan, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich’s Xabi Alonso were among the players backing a potential strike from the players association:
Excerpts from a statement from LFP
” If the strike called is declared illegal and the La Liga matchdays referred to in its announcement are suspended , an application for the appropriate damages will be lodged and the affected clubs may undertake those disciplinary measures they consider suitable.
The LFP wishes to reiterate its surprise at the manifestly illegal actions that the RFEF and AFE are engaging in, given the serious damage they could cause their members . The LFP will not cease to defend the rights of its members before all authorities necessary”
La Liga Record: Ronaldinho sends shout -out to Lionel Messi
Renowned footballer and former Barcelona player, Ronaldinho has sent a shout-out to his former team mate, Lionel Messi in the wake of the latter’s latest feat at Spain.
The 27 year-old became La Liga all-time goalscorer after netting in an hat-trick during Barcelona’s game with Sevilla over the weekend. His 253 goals has now surpassed Tel mo Zarra’s goalscoring record.
The Brazilian legend who’s a close friend of the Argentine congratulated him on Instagram .
“Congratulations my friend, you deserve it. Being part of this story is very rewarding and seeing you today is a great pride, you conquered us all with your humility and talent!!! Congratulations Leo, family andBarcelona, you’re awesome!!!”
Spanish La Liga fixtures for 2014/2015 season
Spanish La Liga fixtures for 2014/2015 season.
(1) 23 August 2014
Málaga CF V Ath. de Bilbao
(2) 24 August 2014
FC Barcelona V Elche
(3) 25 August 2014
Real Madrid V Cordoba CF
(4) 29 August 2014
Getafe CF V Almería UD
(5) 30 August 2014
At. de Madrid V S. D. Eibar
RCD Espanyol V Sevilla FC
(6) 31 August 2014
Villarreal – FC Barcelona
Real Sociedad – Real Madrid
(7) 13 September 2014
FC Barcelona – Ath. de Bilbao
Real Madrid – At. de Madrid
Málaga CF – Levante UD
(8) 20 September 2014
At. de Madrid – Celta
RCD Espanyol – Málaga CF
(9) 22 September 2014
Getafe CF – Valencia CF
(10) 23 September 2014
Real Madrid – Elche
(11) 24 September 2014
Málaga CF – FC Barcelona
(12) 25 September. 2014
RCD Espanyol – Getafe CF
(13) 28 September
At. de Madrid – Sevilla FC
FC Barcelona – Granada CF
Getafe CF – Málaga CF
(14) 5 October 2014
Málaga CF – Granada CF
RCD Espanyol – Real Sociedad
Real Madrid – Ath. de Bilbao
Getafe CF – Cordoba CF
(15) 19 October 2014
At. de Madrid – RCD Espanyol
FC Barcelona – S. D. Eibar
(16) 26 October 2014
Málaga CF – Rayo Vallecano
RCD Espanyol – RCD de la Coruña
Real Madrid – FC Barcelona
Getafe CF – At. de Madrid
(17) 2 November 2014
At. de Madrid – Cordoba CF
FC Barcelona – Celta
La Liga
(18) 9 November 2014
Málaga CF – S. D. Eibar
RCD Espanyol – Villarreal
Real Madrid – Rayo Vallecano
Getafe CF – Elche
(19) 23 November 2014
At. de Madrid – Malaga CF
FC Barcelona – Sevilla FC
(20) 30 November 2014
At. de Madrid – RCD de la Coruña
Málaga CF – Real Madrid
RCD Espanyol – Levante UD
Getafe CF – Ath. de Bilbao
(21) 7 December 2014
FC Barcelona – RCD Espanyol
Real Madrid – Celta
(22) 14 December 2014
At. de Madrid – Villarreal
Málaga CF – Celta
RCD Espanyol – Granada CF
Getafe CF – FC Barcelona
(23) 21 December 2014
FC Barcelona – Cordoba CF
Real Madrid – Sevilla FC
(24) 4 January 2015
At. de Madrid – Levante UD
Malaga CF – Almería UD
RCD Espanyol – S. D. Eibar
Getafe CF – Rayo Vallecano
(25) 11 January 2015
FC Barcelona – At. de Madrid
Málaga CF – Villarreal
Real Madrid – RCD Espanyol
(26) 18 January 2015
At. de Madrid – Granada CF
RCD Espanyol – Celta
Getafe CF – Real Madrid
(26) 25 January 2015
At. de Madrid – Rayo Vallecano
RCD Espanyol – Almería UD
Getafe CF – Celta
(27) 1 February 2015
FC Barcelona – Villarreal
Málaga CF – Valencia CF
Real Madrid – Real Sociedad
(28) 8 February 2015
At. de Madrid – Real Madrid
RCD Espanyol – Valencia CF
Getafe CF – Sevilla FC
(29) 15 February 2015
FC Barcelona – Levante UD
Málaga CF – RCD Espanyol
Real Madrid – RCD de la Coruña
(30) 22 February 2015
At. de Madrid – Almería UD
FC Barcelona – Malaga CF
Getafe CF – RCD Espanyol
(31) 1 March 2015
Málaga CF – Getafe CF
RCD Espanyol – Cordoba CF
Real Madrid – Villarreal
(32) 8 March 2015
At. de Madrid – Valencia CF
FC Barcelona – Rayo Vallecano
(33) 15 March 2015
Málaga CF – Cordoba CF
RCD Espanyol – At. de Madrid
Real Madrid – Levante UD
Getafe CF – Real Sociedad
(34) 22 March 2015
At. de Madrid – Getafe CF
FC Barcelona – Real Madrid
(35) 4 April 2015
Real Madrid – Granada CF
(36) 5 April 2015
Málaga CF – Real Sociedad
RCD Espanyol – Elche
Getafe CF – RCD de la Coruña
(36) 8 April 2015
At. de Madrid – Real Sociedad
FC Barcelona – Almería UD
(37) 12 April 2015
Málaga CF – At. de Madrid
RCD Espanyol – Ath. de Bilbao
Real Madrid – S. D. Eibar
Getafe CF – Villarreal
(38) 19 April 2015
FC Barcelona – Valencia CF
Real Madrid – Málaga CF
(39) 26 April 2015
At. de Madrid – Elche
Málaga CF – RCD de la Coruña
RCD Espanyol – FC Barcelona
Getafe CF – Levante UD
(40) 29 April 2015
FC Barcelona – Getafe CF
Real Madrid – Almeria UD
(41) 3 May 2014
At. de Madrid – Ath. de Bilbao
Málaga CF – Elche
RCD Espanyol – Rayo Vallecano
Getafe CF – Granada CF
(42) 10 May 2014
FC Barcelona – Real Sociedad
Real Madrid – Valencia CF
(43) 17 May 2015
At. de Madrid – FC Barcelona
RCD Espanyol – Real Madrid
Getafe CF – S. D. Eibar
(44) 24 May 2015
FC Barcelona – RCD de la Coruña
Málaga CF – Sevilla FC
Real Madrid – Getafe CF
La Liga: Displaying personal messages after scoring will now lead to yellow card
I’m tempted to say this is so unfair. Whatever is wrong with players expressing themselves whenever they score? According to Barca stuff, one of the social media accounts of Spanish club, Barcelona FC, new guidelines for referees in La Liga state that displaying players a personal message after scoring will now attract yellow card. (Note; this only applies to LaLiga)
Barcastuff tweeted;
“New guidelines for Liga referees say that displaying a personal message after scoring will now also automatically lead to a yellow card.
New guidelines for Liga referees say that the referees should act more firmly against racism in the Spanish stadiums this season. [via md]”
Credit: @Barcastuff