Crystal Palace, Manchester City, Manchester United, Swansea and Watford opposed the deal, while Burnley abstained in the vote.

The hype around the La Liga ‘Clasico’ between Barcelona and Real Madrid continues to burst through all barriers — with millions worldwide due to tune in this afternoon to see Lionel Messi and company take on Cristiano Ronaldo and his colleagues.

There is a carve-up taking place at the top of European football and you don’t need to be a conspiracy theorist to see who is behind it.

2016 has begun with football and politics mixing again in Catalonia with unfortunate results — during three ‘derbi’ games packed with plenty of regretful incident on and off the pitch.

At an extraordinary session in Zurich last Tuesday, the Fifa Executive Committee appointed Spanish FA president Angel Maria Villar Llona as acting chairman of the Organising Committee for the Fifa World Cup 2018.

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and company returned to action over the weekend - mercifully ending an off-season remarkable for the infighting and incompetence of those running Spanish football.

The Spanish Football League is facing a race against time to stop a strike called by the national football federation to suspend all domestic competitions starting on Saturday.

Ambiguous reactions in Spain to Real Betis fan chants, which caused dismay outside the country, have again shown how the idea of collective responsibility is missing at most La Liga clubs.

The president of the Spanish Football League (LFP) dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid’s pursuit of Gareth Bale — which could break the world record transfer fee — is immoral.

The president of the Spanish Football League (LFP) has dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid’s pursuit of Gareth Bale – which could break the world record transfer fee – is immoral.