Tebas accuses Real Madrid of trying to ‘destroy’ Spanish league

La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched another attack on Real Madrid’s leadership, accusing the club of trying to “destroy the domestic competition” while insisting that reform does not mean fulfilling the club’s demands.

Tebas was responding to Real Madrid’s latest escalation against him. The club has called for his resignation amid an ongoing dispute over the administration of the competition and refereeing issues.

Writing on his official X account, Tebas said: “I have lost count of the number of times Real Madrid officials have demanded my resignation or tried to remove me from my position during the past 13 years.

“They have done so through complaints to the National Sports Council, directly or through other parties, and through criminal proceedings. What happened today is simply another attempt, but the answers are still missing.”

He accused the club of confusing impartiality with independence, adding: “My position requires independence, not passivity in the face of injustice or silence in the face of the continuous, excessive and insulting attacks from Real Madrid’s television channel.”

Tebas responds to Negreira claims

Addressing the Negreira case, Tebas said La Liga had acted from the outset and rejected claims that it had remained inactive.

“La Liga took action from the very first moment in the Negreira case,” he said. “Repeating the claim that we were passive does not make it true.”

He continued: “If they are certain that some referees are still operating under the influence of Negreira, eight years after the payments ended, what evidence do they have against each referee? What individual complaints have they submitted to national authorities, UEFA or FIFA?”

Tebas said Barcelona being held responsible did not prove allegations against every referee, while also criticising the use of video material.

“Demanding that Barcelona take responsibility does not prove the accusation against every referee,” he said. “A video clip cannot replace evidence and indications. Putting people in the line of fire of accusations is extremely dangerous and irresponsible.”

Questions over Real Madrid and Barcelona

Tebas also referred to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s comments at the club’s general assembly on 24 November 2024. When asked about ending relations with Barcelona, Perez had replied that Real Madrid and Barcelona should help each other and asked why they should be angry with one another.

“What has changed?” Tebas asked. “Why does this escalation coincide with Barcelona leaving the European Super League project? Has the seriousness of the facts changed, or have the interests changed? And where was Real Madrid’s television channel’s anger before?”

Tebas concluded that Real Madrid was pursuing the destruction of the Spanish league through what he called a distorted media narrative after failing to achieve its aims through the European Super League project.

“They call it reform while attacking the reputation of the competition in which they participate,” he said.

He added that, if the club was acting in good faith, it should deny false information, clarify the facts and publish all data relating to requests to change match dates, including the number that had been approved.

Tebas also recalled being told: “I will turn all Real Madrid supporters against you, and you will not be able to walk down the street.”

He said people should stop placing individuals in the line of fire and distinguish criticism of officials from attacks on the club and its supporters. “Everything that is happening has one name: intimidation,” he said. “Wrapping it in an official statement does not turn it into reform.”

Real Madrid are preparing to face Sevilla in the ninth round of the Spanish league next Sunday.

Real Madrid are fourth in the table with 18 points, six behind leaders Barcelona and one point behind Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, who occupy second and third place respectively.