The Single Judge of the RFEF prioritises the integrity of the competition and rejects other dates to avoid competitive advantages

Full article

Barça-Osasuna now has a new date: it will be played on 27 March

The Single Judge for Professional Competitions of the RFEF has decided that the match between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna, postponed due to the death of the club's doctor, will be played on 27 March.

Priority to the integrity of the competition

In his argument, the judge points out that the decision must balance two conflicting rights: the interest of the clubs involved in the postponement and the rights of the rest of the LaLiga teams, especially those fighting for the title, European qualification or relegation.

Therefore, it has determined that the match should be played as soon as possible, thus minimising the impact on the development of the tournament and preventing other clubs from being harmed. Postponing it to a date closer to the end of the season could create unfair advantages for some teams by allowing them to play the match in the knowledge of other decisive results.

Avoid disadvantages and competitive uncertainty

The ruling also highlights the importance of the last two matchdays being played at a unified time, in order to avoid situations of advantage or disadvantage. Delaying the match until the penultimate matchday could generate competitive uncertainty, which would affect the fight for the different objectives in the standings.

Barça and Osasuna will appeal the decision

FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna have announced that they will appeal the decision, citing the inconvenience of the new date, especially due to the absence of international players who will have to make long journeys before returning to their teams.

However, the Single Judge has rejected this argument, considering that these inconveniences are common in a demanding sporting calendar and that they must yield to the general interest of the competition.

Thus, unless the clubs' appeal is successful, Barça-Osasuna will be played on 27 March, on a date which, according to the RFEF, guarantees the best possible development of the tournament without prejudice to third parties.