Real Madrid Challenges La Liga Over Fixture Congestion, Seeks FIFA Support

Real Madrid's manager Carlo Ancelotti has voiced strong objections to the short recovery time between matches, stating that the club will refuse to play if they do not receive at least 72 hours of rest. This comes after a tightly scheduled period where Madrid faced Villarreal just over 66 hours after a demanding Champions League match that extended into extra time. La Liga president Javier Tebas responded, highlighting that Real Madrid's own representative requested a later kickoff time for their match against Leganes, resulting in less recovery time. Ancelotti reiterated the club's position, indicating that they would seek FIFA's support to address these scheduling issues. The club's frustration has been compounded by concerns over player health and fatigue due to the packed fixture list. Players like Thibaut Courtois have also expressed dissatisfaction with the scheduling, citing a lack of respect for the physical demands placed on them.