The key facts

  • The CSD referred Tebas to the TAD on its own initiative for assessment under Art. 76.4.b of the 1990 Sports Act
  • On 16 October Tebas compared Real Madrid TV's methods to Goebbels's propaganda, clarifying he meant communication techniques
  • Real Madrid demanded his immediate resignation; possible sanctions include a warning, a fine, or disqualification

Referral to the tribunal

Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) on Thursday referred LaLiga president Javier Tebas to the Administrative Sports Tribunal (TAD) over his remarks comparing Real Madrid TV's communication methods to Nazi propaganda. The CSD stressed it was acting on its own initiative and asked the tribunal to assess whether he violated Art. 76.4.b of the 1990 Sports Act, which classifies public acts undermining sporting dignity as serious offences.

The essence of the conflict

On 16 October Tebas published a post on X comparing Real Madrid TV's communication strategy to the propaganda techniques of Nazi Germany's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. He later clarified that his comparison concerned communication techniques, not Nazi ideology or Real Madrid fans.

The parties' reactions

Real Madrid condemned the remarks as unacceptable and demanded Tebas's immediate resignation from the posts of LaLiga president and vice-president of the Spanish Football Federation. CSD president Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes called the comparison unacceptable and urged Tebas to apologize to the club.

Tebas's response

In response to the referral to the tribunal, Tebas accused the CSD of failing to react to Real Madrid's repeated accusations against LaLiga and Spanish refereeing. 'Defending the competition also requires answering those who constantly discredit it,' he wrote on X. 'That is part of my responsibility. And I will continue to carry it out.'

What comes next

The tribunal will assess whether there are grounds for disciplinary proceedings. Possible sanctions for serious offences include a warning, a fine, or suspension.