Madrid, September 10 (BNA) The start of the new women’s professional league championship in Spain has been canceled after referees refused to work until their demands for better wages and working conditions were met.
The season was due to kick off on Saturday, but the league released a statement saying it was impossible to hold matches after the referee’s crews did not show up, according to the Associated Press.
Spanish football referees announced a strike on Thursday. Referees and assistant referees, all of whom are women in the women’s league, say that while the new professional league has improved conditions for players, it has not addressed their concerns.
This will be the first season of a fully professional women’s league in Spain, after the players have campaigned for years for better working conditions and wages.
Beatriz Alvarez, president of the new Women’s League, blamed the Spanish football federation and government officials in charge of sports policy.
Referees complain that they earn 320 euros ($322) and their assistants earn 160 euros ($161) per match.
Barcelona, winner of the 2021 Champions League, has won the Spanish League for the past three seasons.
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