Players dig heels in over Spanish strike action

Talks between the Spanish football league and the country's players' union yesterday failed to avert the strike action called for this weekend's start of the season. "The [union] have dug their heels in," said the league's president, Jose Luis Astiazaran. "There are important differences."

The union has called a strike for the first two rounds of matches in the top two leagues, demanding greater protection for wages at clubs entering administration. Racing Santander were the latest club to do that, joining Real Mallorca, Real Zaragoza, Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Granada.