Barcelona backed by Spanish Players’ Association in opposition over new date for Osasuna clash | OneFootball

David Aganzo, president of the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), has expressed support for Barcelona and Osasuna in their opposition to playing the rescheduled La Liga fixture on 27 March.

The La Liga encounter between Barça and Osasuna, set to be played on 8 March, was postponed due to the untimely demise of the Catalans’ first-team doctor, Carles Minarro hours before kickoff.

On Monday, the RFEF and the league confirmed the new date for the match as 27 March – something which both clubs are against.

Support from the AFE

As such, both Barcelona and Osasuna have appealed the disciplinary judge’s decision to reschedule the match for 27 March. And now they have received support from the president of the AFE.

“Out of common sense and for the well-being of the players, it would be a much better option to play between the penultimate and final matchdays,” Aganzo told COPE.

Barcelona vs Osasuna was postponed because of Dr Carles Minarro’s death. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He emphasised the physical condition of the players, saying: “Players’ health must be respected.”

The AFE took a similar stance when Real Madrid complained about having to play their league match against Villarreal with less than 72 hours of preparation.

While Barcelona and Osasuna have lodged an appeal against the new date, there is minimal hope of it being successful. As such, the match will likely go forward on 27 March.

In that scenario, the Blaugrana could be without two important players in Ronald Araujo and Raphinha, who will be travelling from South America after their international assignments.

The South America duo could, however, be available if they are booked in their respective nation’s first matches which would earn them a suspension for the second game, thus granting them an early release.