Barcelona to kick off vs Athletic Bilbao next Friday

Judge rules on no matches for Mondays

Barcelona’s opening match of its

La Liga title defence at Athletic Bilbao will take place next Friday after a judge ruled that matches could be played on that day but not on Mondays.

The decision from a court in Madrid means matches scheduled for Fridays in the opening three rounds, which were announced at the start of July, can be played, while matches planned for Mondays will have to be reorganised.

“It is ordered that the federation should allow the holding of matches on Fridays but not Mondays,” the judge said.

Bilbao will host Barca at 9 p.m. local time at San Mames stadium on August 16.

Confirmation of the date of the La Liga curtain-raiser comes just one week before the fixture kicks off, leaving supporters little time to arrange tickets and transport.

The decision also means existing matches due to take place on Mondays will have to be moved.