Unexpected Love

Chapter 43

Cristiano.

"The league board has come to the decision to give you guys two weeks in order recover from this horrific ordeal." The official said, taking a form out of his leather briefcase and handing it to Mr Perez who looked it over briefly before handing it Raphael Biscali, the head of Real Madrid's legal team.

"That means that all games scheduled between April 15 and April 29 have been postponed to a week after your Champion League tie with Wolfsburg." The representative from the league board said to the room at large.

"I think that is fair enough," Zidane responded, a pensive look etched on his face,"Frankly I think that it is quite generous."

"UEFA, however, has rejected your request for time off from the Champions League and have gone ahead with initial plans for you to play the first quarterfinal draw on Tuesday."

"That's the day after tomorrow!" Sergio protested, his arm still heavily bandaged,"We have to travel all the way to Germany?"

"I'm sure that we can appeal that again," Florentino looked shocked.

"Mr Perez, we have sent their head office three letters between yesterday and this morning pleading for them to postpone the matches. Trust me, they are not going to comply and give the team an extension," One of the lawyers spoke up.

"So there is nothing we can do?" Zidane asked.

"I'm afraid not," The representative sighed sympathetically,"UEFA can be tight fisted when dealing with Champions League."

"That is unethical to say the least," The lawyer spoke up again,"The players' psychological wellness are at stake here. They are only human and they need time to cope and get back into a competitive mindset."

"I agree, this may affect their ability to perform," Zidane added.

"Did you state that in your letters?" The official asked.

"In all three and all three have been rejected," Mr Biscali said plainly.

"There is nothing we can do. Our relationship with UEFA is already walking a thin line and it seems they have already made up their mind on the matter." The official sighed.

..........................................

"So what now?" Sergio asked no one in particular.

"We have to play," Marcelo sighed, the long cut that ran down the left side of his face was healing nicely.

"I would not force you guys to do anything that you don't want to do," Zidane said firmly.

"What is the alternative then?" Isco inquired,"We stage a protest?"

"I think that would only do us more harm than good," Karim muttered,"UEFA has no sympathy for anything that makes them lose money,"

"I say we play," Lucas spoke quietly from the corner of the room.

"Yes let's show whoever did this that we came out stronger and that nothing could bring us or the country down," Marco agreed vehemently.

"So you guys are up for it?" Zidane asked quietly.

"I am," I spoke up,"I totally agree with Marco,"

"And I agree with the both of them," Rapha nodded his head.

"Well I have to get medicals scheduled for you guys and I need to contact Madrid Specialty for a second opinion too, just to be on the safe side."

"I'm not sure I can make it," Sergio sighed, gesturing to his arm,"Nor can Casemiro, the doctors said he's still on bedrest."