Courtois Unhappy as La Liga Chief Refuses to Postpone Real Madrid’s First Match
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is unhappy after La Liga president Javier Tebas refused to delay the team’s opening match of the new season.
Courtois had asked for the match to be postponed to give players more rest after the long and tough Club World Cup. Real Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League semi-final last Wednesday, losing 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.
The team now has 41 days before their first La Liga game against Osasuna, set for 19 August.
Tebas Stands Firm
Javier Tebas explained that the decision to keep the schedule was made together with the Spanish Football Federation. He said players are meant to have 21 days off and 21 days of pre-season training.
He told the Associated Press, “I think they’ll have 20 days of rest instead of 21. No other league — like the Premier League or Ligue 1 — is changing their schedule. We shouldn’t change ours just for one day.”
Last season, Real Madrid played 68 competitive games, including La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey, and other tournaments.
Courtois Responds
Courtois criticised Tebas’ attitude, saying, “I haven’t seen a president in Italy, England, or even the NBA or NFL speak like this. If Tebas doesn’t like the Club World Cup, that’s his opinion, but it exists. It’s part of the FIFA calendar.”
He added, “We are risking players’ health here. It seems this gentleman just wants attention.”
