Carlo Ancelotti & La Liga chief in war of words over Real Madrid scheduling controversy

Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that Real Madrid will refuse to play future games that kick off less than 72 hours after their previous outing, having had minimal rest between the midweek Champions League clash with city rivals Atletico and Saturday’s La Liga win over Villarreal.

Only 67 hours had passed between the end of Wednesday night’s penalty shootout and kick-off at Estadio de la Ceramica. On Saturday evening, a statement from the Spanish Footballers’ Association called it “essential” for players to have “at least 72 hours” rest between games.

Ancelotti has previously hit out at an overly congested playing schedule, with increased Champions League demands and the introduction of an extended FIFA Club World Cup this season.

“I think today is the last game we will play with less than 72 hours rest,” he said. “We will never do it again. We have asked La Liga twice to change the time of the game and nothing has happened, but this is the last time.”

The Athletic has reported via La Liga sources that Madrid did not make a request about the Villarreal game before the schedule was confirmed on 25 February, which is the expected protocol.

In Spain, COPE explained that club executive Emilio Butragueno spoke with league officials twice, the first not until after the schedule was published and the second following Wednesday’s Champions League marathon.

La Liga disputes that, claiming Saturday was the first time any complaint over the scheduling of the Villarreal game had been made. The league believes that other scheduling requests that have been made in good time and ahead of deadlines have been granted. It has also always been the case that there have been two full days between matches.

Madrid are back in action next Saturday night when Leganes visit the Bernabeu, followed only 71 hours later by Tuesday night’s decisive Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad.

But La Liga president Javier Tebas has hit out at Madrid’s accusations, alleging that Butragueno requested the Leganes game (rather than the Villarreal match) be played later in the day than originally planned. That was to give players returning from international duty more time, but also therefore cutting into their post-Leganes rest period.

“Carlo, surely Emilio will have told you that La Liga had put the game with Leganes on Saturday at 16:15 to give you more rest before the semi-final against Real Sociedad,” Tebas posted on X.

“But Emilio asked the director of competitions of La Liga to change it to 21:00 – surely with your knowledge and authorisation, I imagine – to benefit those who came from the FIFA date. And now we have less than 72 hours between the final whistle of Saturday’s game and the start of Tuesday’s semi-final! May the best qualify for the final !! Greetings (To be continued …)”

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