Real Madrid escalated their complaints over scheduling on Saturday, with the club's official TV channel confirming the team will refuse to play in future if their players aren't given a minimum 72 hours' rest between matches.

Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid will refuse to play if they have another La Liga fixture scheduled with less than 72 hours rest beforehand. Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 on Saturday, but the game kicked off just under 67 hours after the conclusion of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 victory over Atletico Madrid,

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid won’t agree to play another game without 72 hours of rest between matches. The club made the announcement, which was confirmed by coach Carlo Ancelotti, after its 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday.

There is almost always drama when local rivals Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid play each other, but Wednesday’s match in the last 16 of the Champions League takes some beating.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid recently clashed in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Los Blancos managed to get through to the quarter-finals on penalties after it ended 1-1 at the end of extra time in the second leg.

Barcelona return to action in La Liga tomorrow as they face off fellow title-challengers Atletico Madrid in a clash of huge implications.The Blaugrana have yet to beat Atletico this season, losing