MADRID
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has suspended end-of-season games from May 16 in a row with the government over broadcasting rights, the federation has announced.
The suspension would affect the final two rounds of La Liga fixtures as well as the Copa Del Rey final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao on May 30.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the federation said it was suspending the games after talks with the government failed.
Last week, the government approved a law on collective bargaining for TV rights that aims to regulate broadcasting rights for Spain's top two divisions.
The RFEF said more than 600,000 players would be affected by the suspension, which was announced as Barcelona led Real Madrid by two points for the championship.
The announcement came after the Association of Spanish Footballers declared a strike from May 17 over the dispute.
Under the government proposal, which has to be approved by parliament, 50 percent of broadcasting revenue would be distributed equally between the top 20 clubs. The previous arrangement was highly favorable to Spain’s footballing superpowers Real Madrid and Barcelona, who received around three times as much as other La Liga clubs.
