La Liga chief accuses Florentino Perez of trying to destroy Spanish football – ‘The problem was always Real Madrid’ | OneFootball

The long-running public feud between La Liga president Javier Tebas and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez showed no signs of cooling down this week. 

Speaking at the Europa Press Sports Breakfast, Tebas once again turned his focus away from on-field matters and directly onto the Real Madrid hierarchy, using the platform to defend La Liga’s direction while criticising Perez’s role in recent disputes.

Although the football world has been dominated by Real Madrid’s decision to part ways with Xabi Alonso, Tebas made it clear that, in his view, a deeper issue continues to threaten Spanish football. 

What’s the issue?

Early in his address, Tebas rejected claims surrounding La Liga’s controversial CVC investment agreement, stressing that Madrid’s legal challenge distorted reality.

“La Liga did not try to expropriate Real Madrid or win in court for the clubs. Many presidents were interviewed, and it was clearly explained. 

“The ownership model was never in danger. This circumstance was explained to the clubs; the rest was anecdotal. 

“The problem was always one: Real Madrid. Either we realise that this cannot continue, or they will end up destroying football with the current model, as is happening in the rest of Europe,” he said.

Tebas then shifted the conversation toward the financial reasoning behind the CVC deal, arguing that the agreement has been essential for modernising Spanish football infrastructure. 

“It is important to understand the CVC plan, which is directly linked to the list of stadiums undergoing renovation, thereby improving attendance and revenue.” 

Shots at Perez

Tebas did not shy away from revisiting older scandals either. He directly contrasted the Negreira case with historical match-fixing issues in Spanish football, questioning Madrid’s silence at the time.

Javier Tebas did not shy away. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

“There was a statement by the president of Real Madrid in which he said that the most serious thing that had happened to Spanish football was that case. 

“That’s not true. The most serious thing was the buying of matches between 2008 and 2013 in this country. Matches were bought to stay in the league. 

“That was the most serious thing. What was Florentino’s position? To look the other way. 

“In 2010, there was a wiretapped conversation with the president of Hercules in which the buying of matches came up. 

“Who looked the other way? Who did not support the opening of an investigation? Real Madrid,” he recalled, while stressing the gravity of those incidents.

Turning back to the Negreira affair, Tebas insisted that La Liga has taken the lead in pursuing accountability. He strongly rejected attempts to link current refereeing decisions to the case

“The Negreira case is very serious and is being prosecuted. Not by Real Madrid, but by us and by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. 

“In the Negreira case, the buying of referees has not been proven, but something very serious has: the payment to the vice president of the referees. 

“The proceedings must continue with all the defences that FC Barcelona has to make,” he insisted.

Broken relationships

The relationship between Perez and Laporta is broken. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Finally, Tebas addressed the fractured relationship between Florentino Perez and Joan Laporta, dismissing any personal concern over their fallout and linking it directly to power struggles within Spanish football.

Tebas concluded, “I don’t care that Florentino and Laporta have broken off relations. 

“If it’s because of the Super League, that’s fine with me,” before expanding on what he sees as deliberate pressure tactics.

“It’s a coincidence that when Barcelona left the Super League, Madrid launched a furious legal attack. 

“Relations with Barça were fine. What is that? That’s called coercion. While you’re with me, I won’t bring this up; when you’re not, I will. 

“It’s a common strategy. Those clubs are seeking to destroy La Liga and its president,” he concluded.

Source: SPORT