Real Madrid season opener in doubt after RFEF reversal

Real Madrid season opener uncertainty dominated the Spanish football agenda on Monday as the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rowed back on an initial agreement to postpone Los Blancos’ first La Liga fixture of 2024-25.

Real Madrid season opener request hits a bureaucratic wall

Carlo Ancelotti’s side asked for their 17 August meeting with Osasuna at El Sadar to be pushed back 48 hours. The club argued that travelling immediately after Wednesday’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain would compromise player welfare and diminish the spectacle of the domestic curtain-raiser.

Osasuna on board, La Liga open, but RFEF hesitates

Osasuna quickly consented, and La Liga’s organising body indicated it had no objection. The final green light, however, must come from the RFEF competition committee, which unexpectedly announced that it now needs “additional time” to study scheduling implications before issuing a verdict later this week.

What’s at stake for Real Madrid?

A congested calendar already looms large. Should the Real Madrid season opener go ahead as originally planned, Ancelotti may be forced to rotate heavily just three days after flying back from Saudi Arabia. Early dropped points could prove costly in a title race that increasingly rewards lightning starts.

Possible outcomes

1. Postponement granted: the match moves to Monday night, giving Madrid two extra days of recovery.
2. Postponement denied: Madrid land on Thursday morning and head straight into league action.
3. Compromise: kickoff time on Saturday is shifted to a late slot.

RFEF decision expected by Friday

The committee will reconvene on Thursday, with a final announcement slated for Friday afternoon, barely 24 hours before the scheduled kickoff.

Opinion: Common sense says the RFEF should back player health and allow a short delay. La Liga’s global appeal relies on quality football, not fatigued superstars.