LaLiga president Javier Tebas used his appearance at the Marca Sports Awards to launch another attack on Florentino Perez and Real Madrid. The ongoing political, legal, and ideological war between Real Madrid’s president and LaLiga took another sharp turn, as Tebas accused Pérez of manipulating facts, misleading the public, and rewriting key moments in recent Spanish sports policy.
“Florentino Lied” — Tebas Refutes the 5% Ownership Claim
Tebas made it clear that what bothers him most is Pérez’s repeated assertion that LaLiga was behind a controversial 5% ownership modification in the Sports Law — something the Madrid president has presented as a direct attack on the club.
“There are facts he misrepresented, and others he completely lied about,” Tebas said. “The 5% theory he blamed on LaLiga is simply false. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: it’s untrue, and there are witnesses.
“We had agreed with the government on a draft that reflected what LaLiga had already won in court against Real Madrid. He changed it. When the text left the Council of Ministers, we had the support of both PP and PSOE to introduce amendments to restore that agreement.”
Tebas claims that after a new meeting between Pérez and PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo in August, the party reversed its position and withdrew its amendments.
“We didn’t introduce anything. He was the one who altered it. We simply defended what had already been upheld in court. There was no expropriation of anything. He lied.”
On the Super League Lawsuit: “A22 and Real Madrid Are the Same Thing”
Tebas was equally dismissive of A22’s latest legal maneuver — the multi-billion euro claim against UEFA supported by Real Madrid.
“A22, Real Madrid… it’s the same,” he said. “I read a very interesting legal analysis last week: this lawsuit has zero chance. At most, they might get expenses reimbursed — but never lost profits. They never managed to create the Super League, and they never could. It’s just a pressure tactic, and they’re good at those.”
Tebas: “I’m a Real Madrid Fan — That Doesn’t Change Anything”
“Real Madrid fans tell me I’m anti-Madrid. Others say I’m Madridista. Apparently I’m both,” Tebas joked. “But I defend the interests of LaLiga and the majority of clubs, above my own personal preferences.
“Being a fan is something you carry with you. No vote can remove that.”
“Real Madrid Is at Odds With Everyone — Not Us”
“The one who’s in conflict with everyone is Real Madrid. Even Calderón said so. Only the UN and UNICEF are left,” Tebas quipped.
He claims that the tension is not with the club as an entity, but with Pérez’s management and the Super League vision he promotes.
“A Super League would severely damage domestic leagues. I cannot support Pérez’s model when the majority of clubs — based on all our reports — say it harms national competitions. That’s why there is no understanding.”
No Special Treatment for Madrid
Despite the political and legal battles, Tebas insisted that LaLiga treats Real Madrid the same as any other club.
“Personally, as a club, no — there’s no problem. They simply don’t attend some of the meetings. But for us, it’s just another club. They receive exactly the same treatment.”
On LaLiga’s U.S. Initiative and the NFL Comparison
Tebas also touched on LaLiga’s push to solidify its presence in the United States, where Spanish football has a growing audience.
“There are many LaLiga fans in the U.S., fans who suffer with their teams just like here. Our project has more meaning and more justification than the NFL’s expansion — but we can learn from them.
“One game out of 180 is not something that compromises the competition. It’s nothing to dramatize.”