Tebas refuses to entertain Real Madrid request for rescheduling season opener – ‘Enough days to recover’ | OneFootball

La Liga president Javier Tebas has weighed in on the ongoing dispute over Real Madrid’s request to delay their 2025/26 opener against Osasuna following their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Real Madrid, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament before being eliminated by PSG, requested a delayed league debut, currently scheduled for August 19.

Their request has been supported by the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), who have been pushing the league to reschedule the fixture.

However, La Liga have refused to entertain the request, and the matter now sits with the Spanish Football Federation’s Competitions Committee.

Tebas, though, remains firm on his stance about not rescheduling the game, as he insists Real Madrid have more than enough time to recover.

Tebas refuses to entertain Real Madrid request. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images For Sportel)

“We have already given our choice, which is that there are enough days to recover, for the rest that the collective agreement establishes,” said the La Liga chief.

Laying the blame at FIFA’s feet, Tebas added: “The problem is not created by the league, it is created by a competition like the Club World Cup, which sets the dates unilaterally, which Fifpro (the players’ union) itself has complained about.”

Tebas also pointed to other clubs facing similar scheduling challenges, as he said: “PSG play the Super Cup final on August 13 and on August 17 they start their league competition.

“Chelsea start the Premier League on August 17, and Real Madrid start on August 19. Real Madrid, with the squad they have, with the money they have earned in the World Cup, for a few hours should not pose any problem.”

The decision now rests with the Sole Judge of the Competitions Committee and it remains to be seen if Real Madrid get their request to reschedule the Osasuna game approved.

Source: Mundo Deportivo