MADRID, Aug. 20 -- A further round of talks between the Spanish Football Players Union (AFE) and the Spanish Football League (LFP) this Saturday ended with little progress made to end the strike action by the AFE.
The third round of talks between the parties lasted for three hours and was centred on 'technical aspects' .
With the opening round of matches, which were due to be held this weekend, already canceled because of the strike, talks now are to try and avoid the action by AFE members, who want a collective agreement to end the problem of clubs not paying players.
Spanish players from the Primera and Second Division, are currently owed around 50 million euros in unpaid wages, with Betis (20 million euros) and Zaragoza (10 million euros) the main culprits.
Another sticking point is the AFE's desire for the creation of a fund to guarantee players receive money owed to them by clubs which use the Bankruptcy Law to avoid paying their debts. The current fund of 10 million Euros clearly doesn't cover that need and the players want somewhere closer to the 50 million currently owed to players.
Meanwhile although there is no league action in the top two divisions in Spain this season and the strike theoretically lasts from Friday until Monday, many players are continuing to train.
Villarreal, Athletic Club Bilbao, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid, who are all involved in European matches this coming week, are working this weekend, while the FC Barcelona squad, which plays it traditional Joan Gampar Trophy on Monday evening, are also training.
The next meeting between AFE and LPF is scheduled for Monday.