The Real Madrid-Osasuna encounter will kick off the respective teams’ journey in La Liga 2025-26 on August 19, despite weeks of controversy surrounding a potential postponement. Despite collective support from Real Madrid, Osasuna, the RFEF, and the AFE for a delay, La Liga held firm—and won. The final word came from the Sole Judge of the Competition Committee, who ruled that no regulation was breached and that the match must go on. The decision has sparked debates over player welfare, regulatory clarity, and broken verbal promises—but one thing’s certain: the match happens as scheduled at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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La Liga Stands Firm: No Postponement for Real Madrid-Osasuna
The long-running drama surrounding the Real Madrid-Osasuna match has finally reached its conclusion. Despite appeals, moral arguments, and even a reported “gentleman’s agreement,” La Liga has emerged victorious. The fixture will go ahead on August 19, confirming that La Liga 2025-26 will kick off as initially planned.
The controversy centered around Real Madrid’s request to delay the opener due to a shortened preseason. After reaching the Club World Cup semifinals in July, Real Madrid argued that their players deserved at least a three-week preseason, citing FIFA recommendations. Osasuna, the opposing team, along with the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation) and the AFE (Spanish Footballers’ Association), supported the request.
But Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, opposed the delay. He argued that other leagues did not postpone fixtures for teams in similar situations: PSG’s Ligue 1 opener and Chelsea’s Premier League opener were both played as scheduled despite their involvement in the Club World Cup final. For Tebas, the message was clear—two weeks of preparation is enough.
Sole Judge Cites Regulatory Grounds
The ruling made it clear: there is no legal obligation for a minimum three-week preseason. According to the judge, players are required to receive 21 consecutive days of vacation, which Real Madrid’s squad did—clocking in 24 days off in total.
Regarding preseason length, the judge acknowledged FIFA’s recommendation of 4–5 weeks but emphasized that this is not legally binding. Neither the RFEF nor the AFE could produce any regulation to support the postponement based on training needs.
Squad Depth Argument Rejected
Real Madrid raised concerns over potential injuries due to the compressed preparation period. However, the judge pointed out that Real Madrid currently has 23 registered players and two unfilled squad spots, meaning the team has ample resources to meet fixture obligations. He emphasized that with proper rotation, clubs should manage physical strain effectively, dismissing the injury risk as speculative rather than exceptional.
Osasuna’s Silence and the Broken Agreement
Interestingly, Osasuna was formally asked to comment on the request, but did not submit a response—a move that contrasted with their earlier informal support. Though their silence didn’t sway the decision, it added to the intrigue of the case.
The elephant in the room remains the alleged “gentleman’s agreement” between La Liga and players like Dani Carvajal and Koke. This verbal understanding reportedly ensured that if Spanish clubs made the Club World Cup semifinals, their first league games would be postponed. La Liga now denies such an agreement existed, citing lack of documentation.
Real Madrid’s Slim Hope for Appeal
While Real Madrid is still considering an appeal, the club reportedly sees it as a long shot. For now, they are preparing to return to training on August 4, giving just 15 days of preseason—far less than ideal for elite-level competition. It’s a situation reminiscent of pandemic-era seasons when condensed schedules became the norm.
Although they’ve lost the battle, Real Madrid may pivot this moment into a wider discussion on player welfare and regulatory reform in Spanish football.
Match Details
| Fixture | Date | Venue | Kick-off (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid vs Osasuna | August 19, 2025 | Santiago Bernabéu | 12:30 AM (IST) |
With the ruling now final, Real Madrid-Osasuna will go as planned for La Liga 2025-26, marking the beginning of a the respective teams’ season. As debates on scheduling, player welfare, and governance swirl, football—ready or not—marches on.
Read More: Real Madrid to Face WSG Tirol in Austria Friendly Ahead of 2025-26 Season
FAQs
Why was the Real Madrid-Osasuna match not postponed?
Because current La Liga regulations do not require a minimum preseason period, and no force majeure was found.
What was the basis of Real Madrid’s request for postponement?
They cited insufficient preseason time and player recovery concerns after the Club World Cup.
Did Osasuna support the postponement?
Informally, yes—but officially, they remained silent when asked to submit a response.
What is a “gentleman’s agreement” in this context?
A verbal promise by La Liga to delay the opener if clubs reached the Club World Cup semifinals. It was later denied by La Liga.
Can Real Madrid still appeal the decision?
Yes, but the club views it as a highly unlikely path to success.
