Racing Santander boycott cup match in protest over unpaid wages

Racing Santander refused to play in last night’s Copa Del Ray match in protest at not being paid since September.

The referee called an end to the second-leg game of their quarter final tie with Real Sociedad after just two minutes as the players stood still, shoulder to shoulder, around the centre circle.

The club is reportedly in major debt and the players issued a statement on Monday outlining their plans to boycott the match if the board did not resign.

The Racing Santander fans backed the players in their protest at their home ground, the Campos de Sport de El Sardinero, continuing to shout and applaud long after the referee abandoned the match.

Some players have apparently been forced to break into the club’s training facility just to have a roof over their heads at night.

Real Sociedad will now progress to the semi-finals where they face Barcelona, whereas Racing Santander will be fined and likely banned from next year’s competition.

Racing Santander, who have suffered back-to-back relegations, had lost the first leg of the tie 3-1.