Real Madrid accuses La Liga of manipulation after postponement request denied
Real Madrid has publicly accused La Liga of manipulation, claiming the competition’s organizers have compromised the integrity of the Spanish Championship by denying the club’s request to postpone its opening match of the 2025/26 season.
In a statement released on its official channels, the Spanish giants expressed strong dissatisfaction, alleging that the league has acted against the principle of sporting equality. The club argues that their 15-day preseason puts them at a significant disadvantage compared to other teams with longer preparation periods.
“Rigged, Altered, and Manipulated,” Says Club
The club did not hold back in its criticism, stating the competition had been “rigged, altered, and manipulated” by the governing body. Real Madrid had officially submitted its postponement request on July 9, citing concerns about fairness and player welfare.
However, La Liga’s Competition Judge José Alberto Peláez rejected the request, ruling on Thursday that all regulations were being followed specifically the requirement of a minimum 21-day vacation period for players, which Real Madrid had completed.
Club World Cup Exit and Tight Turnaround
Real Madrid players were granted leave beginning July 11, two days after their Club World Cup semifinal exit. The squad returned to training on August 5, giving them just 15 days to prepare before the league kicks off.
La Liga maintains that the club has no legal grounds for delay, but Madrid insists that the decision harms the club’s technical and tactical planning and undermines the competitive balance of the season.
Busy Preseason Ahead
Despite the setback, Real Madrid is moving forward with its preseason schedule. The team is set to face WSG Tirol in a friendly on August 12 at 2 p.m. (Brasília time). With several players just returning from international duty and a condensed training window, Madrid continues to call for equal treatment across the league to preserve the competitiveness of the championship.
