The opening fixtures of the Liga F, Spain’s new women’s professional football league were cancelled after the referees called a strike.
Four matches were due to take place on Saturday with a another four on Sunday but all the matches were called off.
Women referees have been demanding professional status and payment in line with officials in the men’s La Liga.
Players had walked on to the pitch without any officials before the games were officially postponed.
The referees and assistant referees, who had announced a strike on Thursday, said the league body (LPFF) had not addressed their concerns and they would not officiate any top-division fixtures “under the present working and economic conditions” in an official statement.
The LPFF then responded by saying it would “not accept blackmail” and “that all teams would be on the pitch for their matches on Saturday and Sunday”.
It added that if the officials did not appear the league would “proceed to file the corresponding complaints”.