Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has issued a stern warning to La Liga, declaring that his team will no longer participate in matches scheduled with less than 72 hours of rest between fixtures.
Real Madrid vs. La Liga: Ancelotti Threatens FIFA Action Over Fixture Congestion
This announcement follows a recent episode where Real Madrid faced Villarreal on Saturday evening, merely 66.5 hours after a grueling Champions League clash against city rivals Atletico Madrid that extended into extra time and penalties.
Ancelotti expressed his frustration, stating, “We won’t do it again, without 72 hours of rest. We asked LaLiga to change the time of the game twice, and they didn’t do anything. But this is the last time.”
He emphasized that financial interests and television rights are being prioritized over player welfare, a sentiment echoed by the club’s official media channel, which criticized La Liga’s scheduling decisions.
Despite the condensed schedule, Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Villarreal, with Kylian Mbappe scoring both goals.
This win temporarily extended their lead at the top of La Liga, moving them three points ahead of Barcelona, who have two games in hand.
The club has expressed its intention to seek intervention from FIFA to ensure that future scheduling respects the 72-hour rest period between matches.
Ancelotti underscored the importance of player recovery, stating, “Money is prioritized, not the players’ rest.”
La Liga, however, maintains that there is no formal regulation mandating a minimum rest period between matches.
The league asserts that while they aim to provide adequate rest, the current scheduling complies with existing norms, which do not explicitly require a 72-hour rest period.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tension between clubs and league organizers regarding fixture congestion and player welfare.
As the football calendar becomes increasingly crowded with domestic and international competitions, the challenge of balancing commercial interests with the health and performance of players remains a pressing concern.
Real Madrid’s stance signals a potential shift in how top clubs may address scheduling conflicts in the future, prioritizing player well-being over external pressures.
