Strike Puts Game In Jeoprady
By: Corey | May 16th, 2008
Levante’s players have gone on strike on a few occasions this season. None have stuck and they have ended up playing their matches, but this weekend, it just may for a few reasons. The most obvious is that its the last game of the season, Levante has been relegated for awhile, and the players are still not paid. So what is their motivation to play if they dont even take home a wage?
Second is they are playing the champions, who happen to be one of the biggest teams in Spain. That means its a great deal of publicity for the players plight, which I am not against and none of the Real players or staff is either. Calls were made during the week between Levante’s player consortium and the Real management and captains, and both are in aggreance that if a deal is not reach with the Levante management, there will be no game.
People have said another team will be brought in to play Real, as the game cant just be abandoned. But thats false, what team would be brought in? And who says a game cant be abandoned, the Federation can rule the 3 points to Real if Levante does not show up. There are many ifs and buts in this situation, so I could care less to speculate as to what will happen, but I do believe that Levante will show up and play. Real have a record they are chasing, so they certainly want to play the game.
The mayor of Valencia is doing her best to help Levante out with loans and such, but she still remains unsatisfied as to the way the club is being run. It looks like the money Levante need they will get to play the game, but it rises a startling realization. If football clubs are run so poorly that they cannot pay their players and coaches, should they be helped by the government and hence the taxpayers? As an American, my views on this issue are, well American. I firmly oppose governmet intervention in private business, and I for one hate to pay for anything that does not directly benefit the greater good of society, which a football club like Levante doesnt. So what are your thoughts on this?
As this is Real’s last week of training, and with the game still up in the air, training was light hearted. Most of our players are looking forward to nice summer vacations in Dubai or the Caribeann. A few will go to the Euro’s, fewer then a club like Real are used to. Robben, Ruud and Sneijder for Holland, Metz for Germany (hooray!), Canna for Italy, Pepe for Portugal, and Sergio Ramos and Casillas for Spain. Of course we have a large South American contingent in our squad, but still, the amount of Spanish internationals always upsets me, but we will have more in the coming seasons I am sure!
Codina is expected to start, while Soldado and Balboa should make the bench. Drenthe has a minor straing but if he recovers he may get a start. Other than that, its business as usual for Real. This may be the last time to see some players in a Real jersey, as we all expect a few departures this summer. Whoever they may be, we thank you for your service with Real and good luck whever you move on too. Game is on Sunday, 2:00 pm eastern time. HALA MADRID!
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Category: Team News
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Comments
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isnt guti part of the spain squad?
Posted from
United States
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No he is not, and hasnt been for almost three years now, Inaki Saez last called him up before euro 04. He will never play for Spain again either, as Del Bosque probably wont call him up as Guti feels betrayed by the national team.
Posted from
United States -
But considering how Calderon has hinted at the possiblity of finding a team from the Premier League to play should Levante not show up, and that teams like Liverpool and Tottenham are being thrown around, I’m allowed to get at least a little bit excited, right?
Posted from
United States -
There is no way a Premier League team could actually participate–all of their players already left for vacation!
Sorry, John.
Posted from
United States -
Yeah John, all leagues that are finished have not retained their players to my knowledge except Man City who are in Thailand. So finding another team is just ludacrious, Levante will play, and if they dont then we will be awarded three points and set a new record without even sweating.
Posted from
United States -
Looks like the game is on after all, after a last-ditch agreement was reached earlier today. Given that the Levante players have not trained all week, either physically or tactically, I wonder whether this will end up as a goal-fest or whether the Real Madrid players will take pity on them.
Posted from
United States -
The game is going ahead, no word on the agreed terms yet. Needless to say, there will be a game before our title presentation, which is nice, but the game itself will be a joke. Expect to see some of the underutilized members of the squad, Codina is set to start, possibly Drenthe.
Posted from
United States -
Zaragoza is done. Any players we may want to swoop in and get on the cheap, Juventus style? Sergio Garcia? Milito? Oliveira scored 19 goals this year, and could be a good option rather than paying the big bucks for Benzema or Huntelaar.
Posted from
United States -
It’s just ridiculous that Soldado doesn’t start even this game! what wrong did he do? did he sleep with Schuster’s woman? I guess this is it for him…. sucks
Posted from
United States -
for all his dribbling skills, Robinho is a very bad shooter!
Posted from
United States -
Schuster played a full strength team??? That was strange, Balboa, Soldado, Salgado, Drenthe never got a run out, they werent even on the bench. That just miffs me.
Posted from
United States -
waiting for your end of season comments and ratings!
Posted from
United States -
In the news this morning, Garay sold to Real Madrid for 10M euros cash. Barca offered 18 but under a payment plan, Racing took 10 and the possibility that Garay would stick around on loan for 1 more year. According to Pedja it all depends on whether Metzelder stays or not, they are reviewing offers for the Metz and if he goes Garay comes in as of next year.
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United States -
Maybe Metzelder, maybe Cannavaro - the Italian only has one more year left on his contract. Maybe that’s why the potential year’s wait for Garay. Incidentally, has anyone seen him play for Racing this season? He has been injured that last few weeks or so and didn’t play in the Real game.
Posted from
Germany -
I think your right Gonzalo, it’s either this year if they find Metz a home or next year once Cannavaro returns to Italy. Either way great news, I would like to see him next year, but maybe a year playing in UEFA with Racing wont be that bad.
On another note, how about those new kits? Very traditional, I like it.
Posted from
United States -
Will somebody please post a link to the new Madrid kits? I haven’t seen them and have been searching forever to find them!
Also, I thought it was bull$#!t that younger, more inexperienced guys didn’t get a run out. I understand Schuster wanted to put on a nice show for the home fans, but I think putting guys out there like Soldado and Balboa would have been good for the fans as well as the players themselves. I like the groundswell of young talent we have in our ranks, let’s give them a shot you know? And how about Salgado? It’s the guy’s (hopefully) last game at the Bernabeu, let him start the damn game. Despite his shortcomings at times, he’s done a hell of a service to Real. Let’s not have another Hierro on our hands.
I think Canna goes if Garay decides on Real, but then again I can see nobody leaving and Garay still coming. It pays to have that kind of depth at the back.
Posted from
United States -
Most likely its Metzelder leaving, Real got him practically for free I think, and any good offer would be a win. I’d hate to say Metz is worthless as you don’t get to be a German international by sucking, but he had a worthless year. Canna on the other hand is the leader on defense and stays until next year, when Pepe most likely is passed the torch and together with Garay would officially take over the middle. This is also great news for Sergio Ramos who wont have his talented wasted back deep. Heinze would see diminished time though, as I think Marcelo has quickly started to prove his worth.
Posted from
United States
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