Alaves Fans Carry Coffin To Stadium To Protest Game Scheduling

By Max Wise

Fans of Spanish La Liga side Deportivo Alaves held a ‘mock funeral’ at the Estadio de Mendizorroza at Monday night's clash with Levante in protest of the scheduling of the game.

Thousands of Alaves fans dressed in black apparels and carried a coffin to the stadium to protest against La Liga President, Javier Tebas, for fixing games in the morning on weekends and Monday nights.

Fans of various Spanish top flight sides are unhappy with Javier Tebas over the timing of some early kick off games and worst of all the decision to stage some La Liga games around 9 pm on Mondays as a result of TV audience.

Only about 200 fans were present in the stadium when the referee blew his whistle for the commencement of the game, as the Alaves fans boycotted the opening five minutes by leaving the home stands empty.

The home fans trooped to the stadium more than five minutes into the game, dressed in black and carrying a coffin, as they chanted against Javier Tebas, while others unveiled a banner bidding farewell to their beloved sport, football.

“Rest in peace football,” the banner read.

On the pitch, Alaves did enough to run away with a 2-0 win which leaves them in sixth place, only two points behind Sevilla who occupy the final Champions League places.