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Still no deal to end Spanish league strike
Posted Tuesday, August 23, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Spanish league players remain on strike after league officials and the players’ union failed to reach an agreement to end the current work stoppage.

The two sides emerged from Monday’s meeting without an agreement, which threatens to delay the second round of games this weekend. The opening round of matches scheduled for last weekend did not go ahead.

While Levante president Francisco Javier Catala said “something positive came from today’s meeting,” his players’ union counterpart Luis Gil let on that the 42 teams over the top two divisions were unlikely to begin playing soon.

“I’d like to be more optimistic but I’m not,” Gil said. “For now the strike action continues while we work to bring the two sides closer together.”

The two sides are scheduled to meet again later Monday and Tuesday. Representatives of Valencia, Atletico Madrid and second-division side Numancia joined Catala at the negotiation table.

“We’ll keep on offering up ideas and let’s hope AFE accepts one of our proposals,” Catala told reporters.

The Association of Spanish Football Players (AFE) wants a deal guaranteeing players salaries with 200 players owed ?50 million ($72 million) in back wages.

If the season does not begin this weekend, it would be delayed until at least Sept. 10 with players away on international duty in between.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia