Season under threat

A group of 30 Spanish first and second division clubs, including Real Mallorca, has repeated its threat to delay the start of the 2003-2004 league season until an agreement for television rights has been agreed. The group, which includes eight first division and 22 second division clubs, gave its overwhelming support to the move which it hopes will force television companies into making an improved offer for the right to show next season's games. The current deal, which is worth around 230 million euros a year, expires at the end of this season.
Of the 30 clubs at an extraordinary general assembly of the Spanish football league (LFP) in Madrid yesterday, 28 supported the measure, one voted against (Murcia) and there was one abstention (Valladolid). The move confirms the growing split amongst Spanish clubs over a new television agreement.
A group of 12 of the biggest Spanish clubs refused to attend the meeting, arguing they should receive a bigger slice of the revenue to reflect their greater pulling power. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who are part of the group of 12, have already signed agreements to sell their rights on an individual basis, while a number of others are still negotiating. The remaining clubs are pushing for the collective sale of the remaining rights.
Meanwhile, Real Mallorca boss Gregorio Manzano is hopeful creative midfielder Ariel Ibagaza will be fit to face Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Ibagaza, who has an elongated muscle in his left leg, missed last week's 3-1 defeat to Sevilla.