In a fiery exchange following Florentino Pérez’s remarks during the Real Madrid General Assembly, Javier Tebas has issued a robust rebuttal. The president of LaLiga took issue with Pérez’s characterizations of several key issues, including the controversial Super League and the proposed match in Miami. Tebas described Pérez’s rhetoric as “messianic” and “distorted,” asserting that it reflects a deeper frustration within the Madrid camp.
During his address, Pérez did not hold back, criticizing LaLiga’s recent decisions and defending the Super League project as essential for the future of football. He argued that his vision was the only viable path forward for clubs like Real Madrid. In response, Tebas pointed out what he sees as a glaring contradiction in Pérez’s statements. “In 2021, he claimed football was on the brink of collapse and only the Super League could save it,” Tebas noted, suggesting that Pérez now adopts a “supremacist” attitude as if he alone possesses the truth about football’s future.
Tebas Defends Miami Match Project
One of the focal points of Tebas’s response was his defense of the Miami match initiative, which Pérez labeled an “aberration.” Tebas clarified that this project had received unanimous approval from LaLiga’s executive committee back in 2018. He emphasized that Real Madrid had been made aware of this plan multiple times, notably in 2020, without raising any objections. He stated, “The final decision rested with FIFA, which is solely responsible for authorizing matches abroad in national competitions.” Furthermore, he asserted that Villarreal and FC Barcelona had not received any special payments beyond logistical support.
Escalating Tensions Between LaLiga and Real Madrid
Tebas lamented how an initiative once viewed as strategic is now being publicly condemned by Pérez. “What is now deemed an aberration was at that time a well-considered move that no one from Real Madrid contested,” he remarked. The LaLiga president also addressed accusations regarding hiring lobbyists to influence sports law reforms, dismissing them as unfounded. With a hint of irony, he quipped about Pérez’s lobbying efforts: “As a lobbyist, Florentino is truly a pope. His calls and lunches to exert influence would be far more lucrative than what we’ve recently uncovered.”
This exchange signals a deepening rift between LaLiga and Real Madrid, which has grown since the controversial launch of the Super League in 2021. While Pérez champions this initiative as a necessary reform for European football, Tebas views it as a threat to competitive balance within domestic leagues. As both sides prepare for further confrontations, the future of their relationship appears increasingly fraught.
Comments
0 comments
Sign in to comment