AFE president backs Real Madrid over brutal fixture schedule concerns – ‘Ancelotti speaks the truth’ | OneFootball

The ongoing debate surrounding fixture congestion in football has once again been brought to the forefront, particularly regarding the widely discussed 72-hour rest period between matches.

The president of the AFE (Federal Association of Football Associations), David Aganzo, has weighed in on the matter, reinforcing the argument that players’ health and recovery time should be a priority in scheduling decisions.

It must be noted that Carlo Ancelotti was one of the first to openly criticise the intense fixture scheduling, highlighting the detrimental impact of insufficient rest periods on player performance and injury risk.

Following Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal, the Italian manager made it clear that his squad would not participate in any fixture unless they were given the minimum 72-hour recovery period.

Aganzo agrees with Ancelotti

From a physiological standpoint, the lack of adequate rest between high-intensity matches increases the likelihood of muscular fatigue, overuse injuries, and a decline in overall performance levels.

“The health of footballers must be respected. Betis, Athletic, and Real Sociedad didn’t have 72 hours this weekend. Ancelotti speaks the truth,” he began saying as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Real Madrid players were very tired after the Villarreal game. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

AFE’s president acknowledged Ancelotti’s concerns, stating that while the league announces a 72-hour rest period at the beginning of the season, there is currently no official regulation within either La Liga or the Spanish Football Federation to enforce it.

“Because at the beginning of the year we draw up the League schedule and we always announce the 72-hour rest period.”

Leveraging Madrid’s stance

The absence of a binding regulatory framework leaves fixture scheduling at the discretion of competition organisers, who often prioritise broadcasting rights and commercial interests over player welfare.

AFE has leveraged Real Madrid’s stance to further advocate for clearer mandates regarding rest periods, arguing that maintaining player health is a non-negotiable principle in modern football.

“They set the schedules, but there’s no regulation, either in the League or the Federation. We’ve taken advantage of Madrid’s publicity to make AFE’s demand even more noticeable.”

Ancelotti’s position underscores a broader conversation about the evolving demands of the football calendar, particularly with the introduction of expanded international tournaments and club competitions.

“I think it’s a good thing; the players’ health is non-negotiable,” he added.

As the discourse around player workload continues, regulatory bodies may need to reconsider how they balance sporting integrity with commercial viability while safeguarding the longevity of football’s top talents.