“You’ve got the wrong opponent”: Tebas in fiery clash with Real Madrid over Osasuna game

La Liga president Javier Tebas has ignited a fierce war of words with Real Madrid, following the club’s claims that their 2025/26 season is being unfairly manipulated after the league refused to postpone their opening fixture against Osasuna.

The controversy stems from Real Madrid’s request to delay their first La Liga match of the season, citing player exhaustion following their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Spanish giants suffered a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals and reportedly argued that their players needed extra recovery time before returning to domestic duties.

The request, submitted on July 9, 2025, to the Sole Competition Judge of La Liga, José Alberto Peláez, was firmly rejected. In response, Real Madrid launched a scathing public campaign through their in-house media channels, with legal expert Miguel García Caba accusing the league of double standards and claiming that the rules were being applied in a rigid and selective manner to disadvantage the club.

“When it’s convenient, rules are interpreted, adapted, bent. Not this time,” García Caba stated, suggesting that La Liga’s leadership deliberately refused to support Real Madrid due to personal or political motives.

Javier Tebas, never one to shy away from confrontation, immediately fired back. Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he dismantled the accusations one by one and implied that Real Madrid were playing the victim in a situation of their own making.

“You’ve got the wrong opponent,” Tebas wrote, dismissing the club’s accusations as unfounded. He added that Real Madrid’s narrative conveniently ignores their own actions, such as extending their players’ post-season vacation by an additional four days, well beyond the 21-day FIFA-mandated rest period.

Tebas also pointed out the hypocrisy in Madrid’s stance, citing the examples of Chelsea and PSG—two clubs that also participated in the Club World Cup and began their domestic seasons on time without lodging similar complaints. According to him, the fixture list was determined with fairness and consistency across all clubs.

But the battle didn’t stop there. Tebas reminded fans and media alike of Real Madrid’s long history of legal challenges against La Liga. He noted that the club had filed over 100 complaints and even attempted to have him removed from office through Spain’s Superior Sports Council on multiple occasions. “There is no vendetta,” he insisted, “only rules—applied equally.”

This latest dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between La Liga’s governing body and its most powerful club. Real Madrid, known for asserting its influence in Spanish football, appears to be positioning itself once again as a victim of institutional bias. Tebas, however, has made it abundantly clear that such tactics won’t sway the league’s regulatory framework.

The story has triggered a divided reaction among fans. Madridistas argue that their club is being punished for its global ambitions, with the Club World Cup workload used as a weapon against them. Critics, on the other hand, believe the club is acting entitled, expecting preferential treatment where none is due.

“La Liga has always treated Real Madrid unfairly,” said one fan on social media. “They protect Barcelona while sabotaging us.”

Yet another user responded: “No one forced Real Madrid to extend their holidays. If they wanted more rest, they should’ve planned better. Blaming Tebas is just convenient spin.”

In the background of this clash lies a deeper concern about La Liga’s image. While Spain’s top flight continues to lose ground to the Premier League in terms of global popularity and financial power, infighting between its major institutions does little to improve its standing. The league’s credibility could suffer if these public disputes become regular occurrences.

As the season begins, all eyes will be on Real Madrid’s performance against Osasuna and how this controversy affects their start to the campaign. A poor result could be used as further ammunition in their argument, while a strong performance might silence the doubters—at least temporarily.

Tebas, however, has made his stance crystal clear: no favoritism, no bending of rules, and certainly no tolerance for public manipulation.

“This isn’t about one club,” he concluded. “It’s about the integrity of the competition. If you want special treatment, you’re in the wrong league.”