Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has issued a warning that his team will refuse to play if players are not given at least 72 hours of rest between matches in the future.
The LaLiga giants have raised concerns about their scheduling after playing a taxing Champions League match against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, which lasted until close to midnight.
Real Madrid then had to face Villarreal in a LaLiga match on Saturday, just two days later, with kickoff at 6.30pm local time.
On Friday, Ancelotti complained about the hectic schedule, blaming “television rights and money” and saying “the last thing on anyone’s mind is the players’ recovery.”
Madrid went a step further on Saturday ahead of kickoff in Villarreal, with the club’s TV channel stating that “Real Madrid will ask for FIFA’s support … so that this never happens again.”
Following Madrid’s 2-1 win over Villarreal, Ancelotti confirmed the club’s stance.
“I think today is the last time that we’ll play a game before 72 hours,” he said.
“We won’t do it again, without 72 hours of rest. We asked LaLiga to change the time of the game twice, and they didn’t do anything. But this is the last time.”
FIFA recommends a minimum of 72 hours’ rest between games, in order to protect players’ health.
