Lionesses star duo Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh are made to wait to make their Barcelona debuts

Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh will have to wait a little longer for their Barcelona debuts after referee strikes in Spain postponed fixtures across the women's top flight.

The two England internationals joined from Manchester City this summer having guided the Lionesses to their maiden tournament victory.

Barcelona were due to play Levante on Sunday evening with all seven of the other fixtures having already been abandoned.

An unprecedented situation has been fostered whereby the players must still turn up to the ground, go through their rigorous warm up routines and then line up for the game in the full knowledge it will be abandoned due to their being no officials present.

Atletico Madrid posted photos of their players warming up prior to their abandoned match against Real Sociedad.

Spain's female referees are currently striking over pay and working conditions, with a statement being released on Thursday evening detailing the reasons for their action.

They said they had 'taken the decision to not work any matches of the women's first division under the present working and economic conditions.'

This season marks the first fully professional league campaign in the Spanish women's top flight with attendances last season, particularly at Barcelona, displaying the verve people have for the female game in the country.

A modern record attendance for the women's game was recorded when Barcelona played Real Madrid at the Nou Camp last season.

However, the referees argue that they have not been included in this advancement, saying that their present working conditions and pay do not reflect this move to full professionalism for the players.

'We want to get back on the field, but under the appropriate conditions,' their statement read.

They say the £280 referees earn for a game, and the £140 assistants earn, is not enough and must be increased.

The Spanish league responded in due course, threatening legal action should the strikes go ahead.

Barcelona's first game of the season was due to kick off at 5pm on Sunday.