Javier Tebas Advocates for Strategic Development of Chinese Football at Spain-China Forum

On Thursday, Javier Tebas participated in the roundtable discussion titled “Sports Diplomacy: A Bridge Between Societies” at the X Spain-China Forum. He shared the stage with notable figures including Rafael Louzán, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation; Song Kai, President of the Chinese Football Association; and Li Kemin, President of the Chinese Professional Football League.

During the forum, the president of LaLiga highlighted the agreements between the two countries and how Spanish clubs are contributing to the growth of football in China. Tebas expressed optimism regarding China’s potential in football, given its vast population.

Addressing the collaboration, he stated, “At the core of LaLiga and its clubs is the commitment to export our knowledge without expecting anything in return. It is our responsibility to share our experience with other competitions. We have been in China for 12 years with offices established, allowing us to deeply understand Chinese football and its unique characteristics. We believe we can make significant contributions. If they seek our help or advice, we are there for them. We provide honest feedback on where they can improve and advance. Our involvement goes beyond signing paperwork; we are dedicated to ensuring that professional football in China reaches its rightful place among the world’s top leagues. They understand they are not yet there, and achieving this requires effort and patience, especially with such a large population as China’s.”

Tebas also emphasized the need for a strong developmental framework in youth football, stating, “We should not draw a sharp line between youth and professional football. Our academies are integral to youth football, often leading to professional engagements. Spain has the highest number of players in the top tier who have been trained in grassroots football. While we sometimes hear comments about our recruitment being minimal, the reality is that talent is already present, emerging from our youth systems. In China, we believe that the youth football framework needs increased competitiveness akin to what we have in Spain. Young players in Spain compete fiercely for 90 minutes, often against seasoned professionals, which ultimately benefits the national team. Training coaches is equally crucial; a prime example is Antonio, the U23 national coach, who has successfully led the team to an Asian championship.”

Regarding the overall football landscape in China, Tebas remarked, “To illustrate the scope and future of Chinese football: in recent years, over 160,000 football fields have been established in China, and football is now part of school curricula. Approximately 60% of the Chinese population are football enthusiasts, providing a solid foundation. It is essential for leaders to capitalize on this situation to build a robust national league and a strong national team. In terms of audiovisual rights, they recognize the need for improvement, observing how we broadcast our games and the necessary steps to take in the coming seasons. Our audiovisual regulations are in place, which is vital for their growth. We have made substantial progress in this area; after being absent from the public channel in China for several years, re-establishing our presence on CCTV5 two years ago has significantly increased our exposure, with two live matches airing weekly. This resurgence has helped us regain viewership and appeal to our sponsors in China. We are currently experiencing a pivotal moment in China, and our collaboration continues following recent meetings, with another set for March in China.”

Li Kemin, President of the Chinese Professional Football League, and Song Kai, President of the Chinese Football Association, both praised Tebas, Louzán, and Spanish football during the discussion.

“We have appointed Mr. Tebas as our strategic advisor. He has visited us three times to assist in establishing a scientific governance structure, developing regulations for match management, and creating a youth football system. Mr. Tebas has been recognized as an ambassador for football, as Chinese football has much to learn from the professional standards in Spain,” stated Li Kemin.

“Together with Mr. Tebas and Louzán, we have met numerous times for exchanges and communication, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding. Spanish football enjoys tremendous popularity, with Chinese fans particularly fond of clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona. We look forward to enhanced exchanges, especially in youth football development,” added Song Kai.