Supporters of the Spanish club Deportivo Alavés intensified the protest of the fan community against the Friday and Monday night matches of La Liga, when they boycotted the first few minutes of Friday’s meeting against Sevilla FC (2:1).
Photo: ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Ricardo Larreina
Alavés Sports Stadium.
One of the club’s largest organized fan groups is angry at what it says is the excessive inclusion of league matches on Friday and Monday evenings, which it says makes it difficult for fans to attend meetings.
Deportivo Alavés supporters took their seats in the stands until five minutes after kick-off, only for television footage to show empty stands and signs protesting against the matches.
Football has traditionally been a weekend and midweek sport, but more and more European leagues are adding Friday and Monday night games to cater to television audiences.
“Fans, it’s now or never, no football during the week,” read one huge banner that also circulated on social networks.
The fans’ anger is probably justified, as Alavés will only play two matches on Friday night in the opening ten rounds of this 2024/2025 La Liga season.
Last season, during the 34 rounds that fell on the weekend, the team played up to 12 duels on Friday or Monday. In addition to Deportivo Alaves, FC Granada was similarly disadvantaged last season.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
