La Liga postpones Celta Vigo’s opening fixture after Balaidos pitch problem

Celta Vigo’s opening La Liga match against Osasuna has been officially postponed after a fungus was found to be seriously affecting the condition of the Balaidos pitch.

The fixture had been scheduled for the coming Sunday at 21:30, but La Liga has announced that it will now be played on Thursday, 27 August, at 20:30.

The decision followed an audit report produced after La Liga officials examined the playing surface throughout Wednesday. Their inspection identified a fungus that was having a significant impact on the state of Celta Vigo’s home pitch.

The rescheduling was made by La Liga and does not require a further decision from the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The league has held full authority over such scheduling decisions since the middle of last season.

In its official statement, La Liga said the decision had been taken in coordination with the Royal Spanish Football Federation and both clubs.

The postponement means four matches from the opening round of the competition have now been delayed. La Liga had already postponed three other fixtures: Valencia against Real Betis, Real Madrid against Real Sociedad and Barcelona against Athletic Club.

The opening round of La Liga is due to begin on Saturday, although the initial schedule has undergone several changes before the season has started. Celta Vigo’s meeting with Osasuna was the latest fixture affected, with the condition of Balaidos making it impossible for the match to proceed on its original date.

La Liga’s inspection focused on the surface at Celta Vigo’s stadium, and the league’s subsequent report led directly to the decision to move the game. The new date and kick-off time have now been confirmed, giving both clubs a revised timetable for their first match of the campaign.

The league’s increased authority over fixture arrangements meant the new schedule could be set without waiting for a separate ruling from the Spanish federation. La Liga said the process was completed in agreement with the federation as well as Celta Vigo and Osasuna.

The three previously postponed matches involve some of the division’s leading clubs. Valencia were due to face Real Betis, Real Madrid were scheduled to visit Real Sociedad and Barcelona were due to play Athletic Club in the opening round.

Celta Vigo and Osasuna will therefore begin their campaigns later than planned, with their meeting now set for 27 August at Balaidos.