MADRID -- The opening weekend of Spain's La Liga has been postponed due to a strike by players over wage payments.

It was announced last week that The Spanish Professional Footballers' Union (AFE) was prepared to strike unless an agreement could be reached with Liga de Futbol Profesional over unpaid wages.

The AFE is trying to secure a guaranteed fund to protect the wages of players in the event of their club being declared insolvent.

A meeting was called on Friday by the two sides in order to try and avoid the strike, but talks broke down.

"The time had come for all the players to unite. The players have said enough is enough," Espanyol captain Luis Garcia told El Mundo Deportivo.

"We aren't asking for more money -- only that the contracts that have been signed are fulfilled. Either this is resolved once and for all or we don't play. We cannot continue like this."

More talks between the two sides have been scheduled for this weekend.