David Aganzo, the head of the Spanish Players’ Union (AFE), has slammed the decision not to delay Real Madrid’s opening La Liga game of the season, claiming it puts the players’ “health at risk”.
Madrid will face Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, August 19, 41 days after their run to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup in the United States where they were beaten 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain.
The club had asked for the game to be rearranged as the collective bargaining agreement in Spanish football stipulates the summer break should be 42 days long – 21 days for complete rest and a further 21 to build-up fitness ahead of the new season.
However, Madrid’s case was thrown out yesterday by Spanish Football Federation judge Jose Alberto Pelaez.
Real Madrid players at risk – Aganzo
Aganzo was unimpressed and told the AS newspaper: “It is an issue that transcends the regulatory framework of sport because the health of footballers is put at risk. This is reflected in sports law and also in the Workers’ Statute.
“The players are football workers and it makes no sense to force a situation in which their health is put at risk.”
Aganzo said the situation had been flagged beforehand.
He added: “We warned that if Real Madrid or Atlético got through to the final phase of the Club World Cup, the Collective Agreement could not be complied with, which includes the 21 consecutive days of vacation and, in turn, respect the physical preparation of the players without putting their health at risk.
“That’s why we talked with the captains of both teams to establish a minimum agreement that La Liga has not taken into account. It’s a resolution stuck in the past. We are not moving forward if we are talking about a competition where labour relations do not mean anything.
“We sent our position to La Liga in writing after several conversations but they have acted unilaterally without taking into account the players.
“We are disappointed because we should work on protecting the players for the benefit of the competition. The two things are not incompatible.”
Real Madrid to play last
Madrid’s game is the last one to be staged on the opening weekend of the new season.
Defending champions Barcelona, who didn’t play in the Club World Cup, open at Real Mallorca on August 16 while Atleti go to Espanyol a day later.
