LALIGA kicks off with continued commitment to fighting racism

LALIGA EA SPORTS and LALIGA HYPERMOTION both kick off on August 15, aspassion, energy and competitiveness return to Spanish stadiums. This is an exciting time for the fans of LALIGA, and it’s worth noting that there were more than 16 million spectators in the stadiums of LALIGA EA SPORTS and LALIGA HYPERMOTION across last season, an all-time high since such records have been kept.

LALIGA, committed to fighting racism

Just like in previous seasons, LALIGA will kick off by once again demonstrating its firm commitment to the fight against racism. As part of the LALIGA VS RACISMcampaign, a number of actions will be carried out across the first, second and third matchdays of LALIGA EA SPORTS and LALIGA HYPERMOTION, highlighting and raising awareness of the importance of fighting against racial discrimination.

The captains of the 42 LALIGA clubs will have a special LALIGA VS RACISM armband, while there will be signage and posters at the stadiums informing fans of where to report a racist act if they witness one. Moreover, clubs will be provided throughout the season with materials to raise awareness among their fanbases, throughperimeter UTVs, video scoreboards and the anthem against racism which was launched last season. 

LALIGA has been fighting against hatred and discrimination in football for many seasons, aware that the competition can be a strong platform for amplification, given how many fans of the competition there are around the world. This can help shine a light on the problem that must be tackled from all possible angles.

Efforts were further reinforced with the creation last season of LALIGA VS, a platform which aims to eradicate hatred, both inside and outside of football, promoting a respectful and inclusive society in all areas. In 2023/24, LALIGA and its clubs launched approximately 20initiatives to amplify the fight against racism. For example, there was a week against racism, organised in partnership with EA SPORTS, while another initiative was the launch of MOOD, an independent tool for monitoring conversation around sport on social media, which analyses these conversations to increase visibility and raise awareness. LALIGA’s fight against hatred is also reflected in the legal actions the organisation has been involved in. There have been several milestones in this sense, including in June when the first conviction for racist insults in a football stadium in Spain was achieved, as a result of a complaint filed directly and initially by LALIGA before the courts.

 

The attraction of LALIGA’s competitiveness and passion 

In LALIGA EA SPORTS, there are numerous storylines to follow in this new season. For example, three of the four most valuable players in the world now play in LALIGA EA SPORTS, in Jude Bellingham, Vini Jr. and Kylian Mbappé. In addition, the majority of the most valuable U23 players (five out of eight) also compete in Spain’s top flight, namely Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga and Gavi. Furthermore, this season there will be four LALIGA EA SPORTS debutant coaches to follow, with Hansi Flick, Borja Jiménez, Manolo González and Luis Carrión all ready to show what they can do.

LALIGA HYPERMOTION, meanwhile, has historic clubs returning and it was already so competitive and interesting last season. There was a difference of just 31 points between the champion and bottom-placed side. That was the smallest points gap between first and last position in the second tier of the major European federations(there was a points difference of 70 in the English second division; 45 in the French second division; 50 in the Italian second division and 41 in the German second division). Furthermore, the most competitive goal difference in these leagues was found in LALIGA HYPERMOTION, as the maximum was +29 and lowest was -21.

With this in mind, LALIGA wants to prepare fans for all that they’ll experience this coming season by premiering an audiovisual piece, which will be shown at the start of each LALIGA match and which reflects the emotion, passion and determination with which all football fans are eagerly awaiting the kick off of the 2024/25 campaign.