Rubén Uría has put words to a problem that many Atlético de Madrid fans have been feeling for some time: the management of the schedules in LaLiga. This issue affects fair competition between the teams. The focus of the controversy is on the upcoming Madrid derby between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid. Uría, has described this situation as an "adulteration of the competition."
The main complaint for the Colchoneros is the two-day difference in the break before the derby. Real Madrid will play at home on Tuesday 24 September against Alavés. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid will have to travel to Vigo to face Celta on Thursday 26.
A poorly organized competition
This means that the red-and-whites will only have two days to prepare for the derby, while the whites will have four full days. According to Uría, this goes beyond the calendar, pointing out that television interests negatively influence the fairness of the competition.
Uría has been very clear in saying that this type of decision is not only detrimental to Atlético, but to the integrity of the entire competition. "This is not about teams, it is about how the competition is run," he said. Uría stresses that it is not only detrimental to Atlético now, but will also affect Real Madrid next week.
For many Atlético fans, these inequalities in rest periods before key matches are perceived as attempts to benefit one team over another. In the case of the upcoming derby, the difference in rest days between Atlético and Real Madrid has been seen by some as a way to give the Whites an advantage. This perception fuels rivalry and resentment between the two fan bases, especially in such an eagerly awaited match of the season.
Every week it will be someone's turn
However, Uría has pointed out that this problem is not exclusive to Atlético de Madrid. "Today it's Atlético's turn, but next week it's Real Madrid's turn," he said, referring to the tight schedule that the white team will have after the derby. This shows that the problem is structural and not just an attempt to favour a particular club.
The debate on the ethics of these schedules and the influence of commercial interests in LaLiga is still open. Uría says that decisions like these do not benefit the Spanish football product. Beyond colours and rivalries, what is at stake is the integrity of the competition and the fairness with which the teams compete on each matchday. The colchoneros, with voices like Uría's, will continue to raise their voices to demand fair and balanced treatment for all teams.