Real Madrid hit back at Tebas following controversial comments

Real Madrid have issued a strong statement in response to comments made by LaLiga president Javier Tebas, who compared the management methods of Madrid to those of Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda of Nazi Germany, and labeled Real Madrid TV as an instrument of that strategy.

Tebas accused Real Madrid’s leadership of orchestrating a coordinated media campaign, using club spokespersons, Real Madrid TV and journalists sympathetic to the club to highlight selected incidents, repeatedly air grievances, fuel suspicions of unfair treatment and portray the Spanish giants as victims of a wider conspiracy.

In Tebas’ comments published on October 16, he, however, compared the club’s alleged media strategy to propaganda techniques associated with Nazi Germany’s Joseph Goebbels, while clarifying that his comparison was directed at the methods, not the ideology or Real Madrid supporters.

The remarks followed renewed tensions over refereeing controversies, the club’s complaints and its public criticism of LaLiga.

Los Blancos hit back at Tebas, demanding his immediate resignation as LaLiga president and vice-president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after describing his comments as deeply offensive, unacceptable and unworthy of someone holding such senior positions in Spanish football.

The club accused Tebas of repeatedly targeting its leadership and media outlets, questioning his neutrality and arguing that his remarks undermine the credibility of Spanish football.

“Real Madrid C. F. considers it absolutely intolerable and extraordinarily serious that someone holding two positions of utmost responsibility in Spanish football resorts to a comparison with the propaganda methods of the Nazi regime to discredit our club, its management, and its television.

“The clarification that he is not referring to Nazi ideology does not mitigate the deeply offensive, morally repugnant, and institutionally unworthy nature of his statements.

“These statements constitute yet another episode in the repeated attacks by Javier Tebas against Real Madrid, its president, and its media outlets.

“It is unacceptable that he even takes advantage of questions, information, or opinions from journalists unrelated to the club to direct his accusations at us, attributing to us actions of third parties for which we bear no responsibility.

“It is especially concerning that Tebas uses these statements to question the legitimate actions of Real Madrid and Real Madrid TV in relation to the Negreira case.

The Spanish giants further pointed fingers at the alleged bribery case involving rivals Barcelona and referee Negreira, leading to evidence and reports being made to UEFA.

“Our club has had to approach UEFA directly to demand a full clarification of the payments made over the years by F. C. Barcelona to the vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees and the adoption of necessary measures to ensure the integrity of competitions.

“Real Madrid also demands a comprehensive overhaul of the refereeing system and the federative structures of governance, management, supervision, and discipline, through the renewal of those who held positions of responsibility during that period.

“It is particularly significant that Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga and vice president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, an organization that includes the Technical Committee of Referees, dedicates his efforts to discrediting Real Madrid instead of promoting, from his institutional responsibilities, the clarification of these extremely serious events and the necessary regeneration of Spanish football.

“Javier Tebas’s repeated conduct demonstrates a lack of neutrality, respect, and impartiality incompatible with his institutional responsibilities. His constant attacks on Real Madrid and those demanding transparency and regeneration represent, in our club’s view, a genuine scourge for Spanish football.

“For all these reasons, Real Madrid C. F. considers that the repeated statements and behaviors of Javier Tebas would be unacceptable in any European sports institution governed by principles of respect, neutrality, and integrity, and that they disqualify him institutionally from continuing to hold the positions he occupies.”

In a quite a lengthy, structured and fierce response by the 15-time Champions League winners, they also demanded the resignation of 64-year-old football administrator.

“Consequently, Real Madrid C. F. demands his immediate resignation as president of LaLiga and vice president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

“Real Madrid C. F. will continue to defend its rights, its institutional prestige, the full clarification of the Negreira case, and the necessary regeneration of Spanish football.”