Tebas says Barcelona relationship is now more professional despite ongoing differences

La Liga president Javier Tebas says his relationship with Barcelona and club president Joan Laporta has become more professional in recent years, despite a history of tension and continuing disagreements.

Speaking at the “A World in Progress” forum in Barcelona, Tebas praised Laporta for defending him against criticism from Real Madrid. He said the Barcelona president understood his commitment to maintaining La Liga’s independence and resisting pressure from its clubs.

“My relationship with Laporta has had good times and bad times. It has been like a rollercoaster,” Tebas said, describing the sharp changes in their relationship.

“When they managed the club properly, they understood how the financial fair play rules worked. That helped make our relationship more professional.”

Tebas also said he understood Laporta’s public comments and thanked him for his support.

“I understand Laporta’s statements. He knows that I have always tried to take an independent position and apply justice, and that I have not bowed to pressure of any kind. If I had done so, La Liga would have lost much of its authority in relation to the clubs. I thank him for his words,” he said.

Disputes over finances and regulations

Relations between Tebas and Barcelona have not always been stable. The two sides have repeatedly disagreed over La Liga’s financial regulations, particularly the club’s ability to register players during its financial crisis.

One of the most significant disputes concerned the investment agreement with CVC. Tebas supported the project, which aimed to provide investment to clubs in Spain’s top division in exchange for a share of certain future revenues. Barcelona rejected the proposal, arguing that its terms did not serve the club’s long-term interests.

The financial fair play rules created further tension when Barcelona encountered difficulties registering several players because of its financial position. Tebas insisted that the regulations had to be applied to the club without exceptions.

Laporta has previously said that both his personal and institutional relationship with Tebas had begun to improve. He said the pair had reopened communication after a period of confrontation and were now able to discuss their differences and reach understandings.

Positive messages at Laporta’s re-election

The improvement in relations was particularly visible on 1 July 2026, when Laporta was formally installed as Barcelona president for a new term running until 2031. The two men exchanged positive messages during the ceremony.

Tebas acknowledged their past disagreements but said each had been defending their own interests.

“We may agree more or less, but we will always look for what is best for football and La Liga,” he said.

Laporta responded: “Barcelona has a loyal ally in promoting Spanish football around the world, both domestically and internationally. We are always ready to work with you. We have proved that and we will continue to work in that way.”

The Barcelona president added that the areas of agreement between them now outnumbered their differences and that they had learned to seek common ground when disputes arose.

The developing alignment comes amid strained relations between Barcelona and Real Madrid, particularly following the Negreira case and Barcelona’s withdrawal from the European Super League project, which damaged its relationship with Florentino Perez.

Laporta said in an interview with L’Equipe in October last year that Barcelona’s relationship with Real Madrid was no longer functioning and had become a confrontation.

Tebas views Barcelona as an important partner in La Liga’s future, while the club needs a stable relationship with the competition’s governing body as it continues to deal with financial and sporting issues.