Osasuna responded by saying they are in total disagreement with La Liga over the newly assigned date.
The club argued that it and its supporters are the ones most negatively impacted, adding that both Osasuna and Celta had agreed to stage the match in September during the first international break.
In a statement, the Pamplona side said it rejects the new date for the Celta–Osasuna fixture that had originally been scheduled for Sunday, 16 August.
They acknowledged the game could not be played on the initial date because a fungus had left the pitch unfit, despite the home club’s efforts—a situation Osasuna said it understands.
According to Osasuna, both clubs viewed 24 or 25 September—during the international window—as the best option to avoid fixture congestion and allow players proper recovery time at the start of the season.
They added that La Liga and the RFEF were aware of this arrangement.
Osasuna criticised the league for announcing a postponement on the Thursday before the match, calling it yet another last‑minute schedule change stemming from poor planning and professionalism.
The club argued there is no rule, standard, or justification for choosing a date that both teams had agreed to avoid, saying the decision unduly harms the side already disadvantaged by the initial delay.
They also disputed the idea that the move was made “in coordination with the clubs,” noting it came just over 48 hours before their planned flight to Vigo, and said the situation reflects poorly on the league.
The stadium has been undergoing renovations for more than a decade and is expected to be one of 11 Spanish venues for the 2030 World Cup, co‑hosted with Portugal and Morocco.
Once the work is complete, capacity is projected to rise to between 40,000 and 44,000.
Celta had previously had the option to delay the match because striker Borja Iglesias was with Spain at the World Cup, but chose not to take it.
Three other La Liga openers—Valencia v Real Betis, Real Madrid v Real Sociedad, and Barcelona v Athletic Club—have also been pushed to later in the month due to players involved in the World Cup final.