Spain's professional league (LFP) has taken legal steps to overturn a decision by the soccer federation (RFEF) to suspend matches from May 16 over a dispute with the government on a new law on TV rights. The federation's pledge to halt matches threatens to throw the final weeks of the season into chaos and sideline the world's top players -- Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of rivals Barcelona. The decisive last two matchdays in La Liga could both be hit as well as the King's Cup final between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao because of a clash over how television rights are sold. New regulations would replace the current system under which rights are sold by individual clubs -- unique among Europe's top leagues where collective bargaining is used -- and could lead to a sharp price increase in costs for broadcasters once it takes effect from the 2016-17 season. The status quo heavily favours Real Madrid, the world's wealthiest club by income, and Barcelona. The new set-up would still be weighted towards the biggest clubs but to a lesser extent. LFP president Javier Tebas, whose relationship with his RFEF counterpart Angel Maria Villar has deteriorated, said the suspension would harm the image of Spanish soccer. "The damage would be terrible and widespread," Tebas told reporters in Madrid. "Even from China they have expressed concern about the consequences this could have for our sponsors," he added. "If the government submits to this blackmail we would be taking a step backwards in the regeneration of Spanish soccer." Cabinet approval The TV rights legislation was signed off in cabinet last week after months of delays and aims to create a more level playing field for clubs in Spain's top two divisions by sharing out cash more equitably. Poorer teams, especially those with big outstanding tax bills, have for years called for rights to be pooled to help them make ends meet. However, both the RFEF and the players' union have come out against it and the two groups have backed halting competition across all Spanish soccer. After a board meeting on Wednesday, the RFEF accused the government of a "lack of respect" and complained it had not been consulted properly on the TV law. The RFEF believes the law will rob it of some powers and is also unhappy at what it says are plans to use of money from soccer to fund other sports. In a statement late on Wednesday, the LFP hit back and said the RFEF's decision was legally "invalid" and that it had initiated "the appropriate action with the pertinent administrative and legal bodies" to overturn it. Spanish law gave the LFP the right to organise professional competition and set the calendar for matches, the league argued, and called for those involved in voting for a suspension to be subjected to disciplinary measures. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/129656.aspx
