Tebas gets his way and LaLiga 2025-26 starts compromised, Madrid will appeal

Real Madrid has lost the first battle of the season. LaLiga has officially rejected the white club's request to postpone its match of the first round against Osasuna, which will be played next August 19 at Santiago Bernabéu.

The request, which had received informal support from Osasuna itself, the RFEF, and even the AFE, has been struck down by the Sole Competition Judge, who has ruled in favor of the legal arguments put forward by Javier Tebas. LaLiga has imposed its criteria and has gotten its way, even breaking what had been verbally agreed months ago with the captains of the teams involved.

The conflict goes back a long way. In May, given this summer's demanding schedule, an informal agreement was reached between LaLiga and representatives of the clubs with the heaviest match loads.

The promise was clear: if Real Madrid or Atlético de Madrid reached the semifinals of the Club World Cup, they would be allowed to postpone the league start. That was the condition under which the 2025-26 schedule was accepted.

However, when the time came, the employers' association chose to break its word and rely on the current regulations to force Real Madrid to play the match on the original date. This move has caused discontent within the white club, which is already preparing an appeal against the Sole Judge's decision.

A minimal preseason and a decision that leaves a mark

The ruling is based on the fact that the white footballers will fulfill the 21 consecutive days of vacation required by the collective agreement. Specifically, they will enjoy 26 (21). But the real conflict lies in the preparation: Xabi Alonso will only have 15 days (15) of preseason to prepare for the official debut.

Although FIFA recommends a preparation period of 4 or 5 weeks, there is no written rule that requires it, which has been decisive for the final verdict. The judge argues that the club has 23 registered players and room to complete the squad, so he considers that there is no force majeure.

From Chamartín, it is understood that not only was a gentlemen's agreement broken, but also that LaLiga's institutional interest has been prioritized over sporting common sense. Osasuna, required to make a statement, did not respond officially, which has been interpreted as a lack of opposition. However, in private conversations, the Navarre club had shown its willingness to postpone the match.

Real Madrid doesn't rule out exhausting the legal route to defend what it considers a clear harm to its planning. But the truth is that, barring a surprise, the match will be played on August 19.

The season will begin with a white team with hardly any preparation, forced to compete with only two weeks of work. For many, a distortion of the championship from day one.