Insights from Javier Tebas: LaLiga’s Challenges and Perspectives

omidbasir- Javier Tebas, the President of LaLiga, recently spoke with ABC newspaper, providing an overview of the current state of football. He addressed the end of the Superliga, comparisons with the Premier League, and the ongoing Negreira case, leaving no topic untouched.

Regarding Real Madrid’s perceived triumph in the Superliga’s conclusion, Tebas remarked, “That is the narrative of the ‘portacoces’… I see it more as a capitulation. When I say that Florentino never loses, I mean that even when he has lost or made concessions, he crafts a story for his ‘portacoces’ to create the impression of victory. He constructs a narrative with his supporters that he has won, but I do not see any victory whatsoever.”

When asked about LaLiga’s mechanisms in response to the Negreira case, Tebas explained, “We are in a state governed by law, and the regulations are as they stand… Moreover, there’s an issue with the Sports Law that I don’t control, which prescribes a three-year limit for these offenses. I have advocated for a longer statute of limitations on such crimes. However, it is clear that Barcelona did not pay referees, contrary to the narrative being constructed.”

He continued to express his disagreement with the notion that referees are bought, referencing a statement attributed to Florentino Perez about a penalty not being awarded to Vinicius in Pamplona. “I am absolutely against that, because it is not the case. The facts must be assessed and are currently under judicial review; the legal system will determine the outcome,” he stated.

On the state of the pitch at Rayo Vallecano’s stadium, which led to the suspension of their match against Oviedo, he commented, “In this situation, I do not see negligence on the part of Rayo or LaLiga, yet if a cleaning lady falls while cleaning the stairs, it’s blamed on LaLiga and me.”

Tebas also addressed the frequent comparisons with the Premier League: “It annoys me because it reflects a tremendous ignorance. It is as if we were in the same vehicle. It’s like expecting Alonso, while racing for Minardi, to win the World Championship. England has a population of 70 million, a per capita income 30% higher than Spain, and significantly higher penetration of pay television… These are two different realities. Why not compare us with Germany, Italy, or France, where we are ahead?”

In a more personal vein, he spoke about his passion for bullfighting, declaring that if there’s a bullfight featuring Morante at the same time as a Real Madrid match, he would choose to attend the bullfight. When asked if he is a Real Madrid supporter, he responded affirmatively, elaborating, “Being a Madridista does not mean blindly following the current president as if he were a Messiah.”

Finally, regarding the players’ protest against the Miami match and why it was not televised, he explained, “The focus is on the football match. It is not normal for there to be a 10-second pause that everyone sees, and for us to showcase it… We have refrained from airing spontaneous events like a streaker on the field. Each party must make decisions to ensure their product holds maximum value. However, there is no control of the media.”