La Liga president Javier Tebas believes that Spanish football fans who watched Premier League games on television now prefer watching the Spanish domestic games instead.
According to Tebas, a recent clash between FC Osasuna – a club facing relegation – and Eibar FC, a mid table club currently in 11th place, has generated greater viewership than Liverpool’s much-awaited clash with Manchester United at Anfield. The two English clubs are some of the most popular and best-supported clubs in England and have fans worldwide, but the game did not live up to the kind of hype that was created prior to the game.
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The Spanish audience’s decision to watch a Spanish domestic club clash was not a bad decision after all as FC Osasuna won the game 3-2 against Eibar FC in a thriller. While the much bigger and much more anticipated clash between Jurgen Klopp’s Reds and Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils, ended in a goalless draw under the Anfield lights.
Tebas, speaking at a media event explained, "Liverpool recently played Manchester United at the same time as SD Eibar v CA Osasuna and viewing figures in Spain were higher for the latter. In another example, eleven times more people watched the recent Sevilla v Atletico Madrid game than Chelsea v Manchester United.”
“The opposite also happens in England, where Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton has better viewing figures than El Clasico. This shows how history and national idiosyncrasies, often so important in sport, give domestic competitions a hold that is very difficult to break."
The La Liga president’s views on this issue seem fair as the much hyped Premier League game between Liverpool and Manchester United earlier this month turned out to be a dull affair. The game featured barely any chances by either team and all the hype and hoopla surrounding Liverpool’s fierce attack and Manchester United’s expensive line-up failed to give the fans anything to cheer for.
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One of the game’s few exciting moments came when David de Gea pulled a couple of incredible saves to keep Manchester United in the match and also leave Anfield with a clean sheet. Apart from those moments, the only other exciting part was the touchline presence of two of the Premier League’s most exciting and entertaining managers, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho.
Manchester United and Liverpool will once again face each other in the Premier League on 15th of January at Old Trafford.
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