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.

Racing Santander players refused to play last night’s Copa del Rey clash with Real Sociedad in protest over unpaid wages.

Racing Santander’s Copa del Rey clash with Real Sociedad was suspended last night after the home players refused to play, having not been paid for several months.