Copa del Rey match in Spain abandoned because of Striking players

The fourth quarter finals of the Spanish Cup tie between home side Racing Santander and Real Sociedad was on Thursday abandoned after the Santander players refused to play because of  unpaid wages which they claim runs into several weeks.

The winners of the tie were expected to play Barcelona in the second semi finals of the Copa dey Rey.
The Santander players had earlier issued a statement urging the club's board to step down over the issue. On match day, the players warmed up, and at kick off, gathered at the centre circle in arms with the coaching staff at the touch line in solidarity with the players.

The referee eventually called off the match after the Real Sociedad players played the ball amongst themselves for few minutes before it was kicked out for a throw-in.
Real Sociedad had won the first leg of the 3-1.

Clubs in the Spain have be beset by financial problems for several years, and this latest development will come as no surprise to watchers of the situation. But a threat not to play have not been carried out before.