Still no deal to end Spanish league strike

Spanish league players remain on strike after league officials and the players' union failed to reach an agreement to end the current work stoppage.

The two sides emerged from Monday's meeting without an agreement, which threatens to delay the second round of games this weekend. The opening round of matches scheduled for last weekend did not go ahead.

While Levante president Francisco Javier Catala said ''something positive came from today's meeting,'' his players' union counterpart Luis Gil let on that the 42 teams over the top two divisions were unlikely to begin playing soon.

''I'd like to be more optimistic but I'm not,'' Gil said. ''For now the strike action continues while we work to bring the two sides closer together.''

The two sides are scheduled to meet again later Monday and Tuesday. Representatives of Valencia, Atletico Madrid and second-division side Numancia joined Catala at the negotiation table.

''We'll keep on offering up ideas and let's hope AFE accepts one of our proposals,'' Catala told reporters.

The Association of Spanish Football Players (AFE) wants a deal guaranteeing players salaries with 200 players owed ?50 million ($72 million) in back wages.

If the season does not begin this weekend, it would be delayed until at least Sept. 10 with players away on international duty in between.