Real Madrid to Appeal La Liga’s Decision Over Osasuna Fixture

Real Madrid are not backing down in their effort to delay the opening match of the 2025/26 La Liga season against Osasuna. After the club’s initial request was rejected by the Competition Committee’s sole judge, they are now preparing to escalate the matter.

According to COPE, Los Blancos will file an official appeal to the Second Degree National Committee, arguing that La Liga has failed to uphold a promise made to clubs participating in the Club World Cup.

A Promise Broken?

Back in May, during discussions between La Liga, the AFE (Spanish Footballers’ Association), and team captains, it was reportedly agreed that any club reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup would be granted permission to delay their opening domestic fixture.

Real Madrid, having advanced that far, expected that commitment to be honoured. But the Sole Judge ruled that the current regulations—namely the mandatory 21-day rest period under the Collective Bargaining Agreement—had been satisfied, and therefore there was no compelling reason to postpone the match.

Real Madrid Challenge the Ruling

Madrid strongly disagree with the logic behind the decision. The club argues that FIFA’s own guidelines recommend a break of three to five weeks for players competing in extended international tournaments—guidelines that, in their view, should have taken precedence.

Furthermore, the club believes that La Liga has gone back on its word, eroding trust between the league and participating teams. What was once a verbal agreement is now being disregarded, and Real Madrid are not willing to accept that quietly.

Although the club is reportedly not optimistic about the outcome of the appeal, they still plan to file it within the two-day window allowed by the regulations.