Javier Tebas, La Liga president
Photo by Miguel Tovar/Getty Images
Real Madrid returned to action on Tuesday with a La Liga clash against Elche at the Martinez Valero.
Jose Mourinho’s game secured a hard-fought 3-2 win. But the victory was overshadowed by an off-pitch controversy involving three Real Madrid stars.
Tebas critical of Real Madrid trio
Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Ibrahima Konate walked out for the match with their shirts folded, meaning a message of support for the people of Ceuta, amid the ongoing migration crisis in the Spanish enclave, was not visible.
This left La Liga president Javier Tebas fuming, as he pointed out that such matters has to be followed and does not depend on personal beliefs.
Javier Tebas, La Liga president
Tebas is unhappy with Real Madrid trio Konate, Mbappe and Vinicius. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for Soccerex)
Speaking at a conference organised in Huesca, Tebas made no secret of his disapproval. “I think it is very bad,” the LaLiga chief said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Tebas argued that such gestures represent an institutional initiative rather than a matter of personal choice.
“Real Madrid is a Spanish entity and the participation of the entire staff in this type of initiative responds to an institutional act, a club act, and not a personal act where an opinion must be given,” he said.
He added that campaigns promoted by clubs and authorised by La Liga should not be subject to the players’ opinions when they do not touch on ideological matters.
Tebas on the Ceuta controversy
A fan carrying a support Ceuta banner.
Ceuta became the hotbed of a migration crisis earlier in the year. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Tebas doubled down on his stance that wearing the shirt was non-negotiable as part of a collective gesture.
“Going out with the whole squad with the shirt is a club act. The player has to go out with the shirt. Because going out with the shirt folded is like going out without it,” he added.
The La Liga president also addressed the situation surrounding Real Betis’ Moroccan player Ez Abde, who did wear the support shirt during the Villarreal-Betis fixture and subsequently received threats and abuse as a result.
Tebas described that fallout as collateral damage.
Yan Diomande, Real Madrid player
Yan Diomande, Real Madrid player
The right-wing department has been a tricky one for Real Madrid in recent years, and the arrival of Yan Diomande was expected to finally bring stability to the department.
After all, he arrived as a club record signing and there appeared to be no doubt that he would be a guaranteed starter in the position under Jose Mourinho.
Over a month into the new campaign, however, the right wing still remains without a guaranteed starter and is no closer to seeing stability.
In fact, it has been one of the positions where Mourinho has tried out the most experimentation.
After starting on the bench for a long time, Yan Diomande finally earned his first two starts in the department in the team’s two recent outings.
That streak, however, is set to come to an end this weekend as reported by MARCA.
Out against Atletico Madrid
In just a few days’ time, Real Madrid face their biggest domestic test yet as they take on Atletico Madrid away from home in La Liga.
Yan Diomande, Real Madrid player
Diomande has had a slow start to life in Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
As reported by the Spanish outlet, Diomande will not be a starter on the night despite earning an assist in the team’s recent win.
All signs point to the new signing starting on the bench against Los Rojiblancos, not for any fitness reasons but a tactical decision which Mourinho sees as essential.
After all, Diomande has done decently well so far but has not made headlines, and there are clearly better options available for a high-octane game.
Who will start?
With Diomande likely to feature on the bench after two straight starts, all signs point to either Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz featuring as the right-winger this weekend.
Arda Guler, Real Madrid player
Guler may return to the wing. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The former has been impressive in every single appearance this season and is a leading candidate who can bring creativity and versatility to the park. Brahim, meanwhile, couples great vision with attacking brilliance and is a more goal-directed option.
Diomande will likely make an appearance off the bench at some point against Atletico Madrid and will look to use the chance to move up Mourinho’s pecking order.
He has been impressive in his minutes so far and has only gotten better with every passing game, and Real Madrid will not worry about his relatively long adaptation period.