LaLiga president Javier Tebas stirred fresh controversy after openly defending his lifelong commitment to Real Madrid, responding sharply to critics who questioned his neutrality. Speaking with a tone that mixed disappointment with defiance, Tebas dismissed calls from an assembly member seeking to label him persona non grata, insisting that his connection to the club is rooted in childhood devotion. For him, the badge represents something far deeper than politics or boardroom power.

Tebas stressed that his ties to Real Madrid began long before he ever entered football administration, saying that being a fan is something felt, not assigned. “Madridismo doesn’t come from a membership card or a director’s seat,” he said. “It belongs to millions who celebrate and suffer with the team.” He pushed back at allegations branding him ‘anti-Madrid’, calling them hurtful and unfounded, while arguing that every decision he makes for LaLiga is meant to strengthen the league as a whole.

He then went further, criticizing what he described as Real Madrid’s “mega-projects,” claiming they undermine the same competitive structure that helped turn the club into a global force. Tebas argued that protecting LaLiga’s long-term stability is essential to safeguarding Real Madrid’s future as well. His message was unmistakable: no vote, complaint, or political maneuver could erase a bond he has carried since age six.

The tension escalated when Tebas responded directly to comments from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez during a recent general assembly. Perez had touched on multiple issues—including friction with UEFA and the Barcelona Negreira affair—and accused Tebas of earning a salary higher than the Premier League chief despite LaLiga’s lower revenue. Tebas immediately countered the accusations, refusing to allow Perez’s remarks to go unanswered.

He challenged Perez’s authority to speak about ethical matters, asserting that when it comes to “conflicts of interest,” Real Madrid’s leadership should be the last to lecture anyone. Tebas cited Real Madrid’s presence within the RFEF governing structure during the Rubiales era and referenced private negotiations involving lucrative payments for participation in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. According to Tebas, those deals—conducted while Madrid held influence in what Perez described as “the house controlling Spanish refereeing”—fit the definition of a conflict of interest. He noted that several clubs were deeply unhappy with the revenue splits, comparing the arrangement to organizing a summer friendly for cash rather than a top-level competition involving Real Madrid.

Tebas also criticized how the Super Cup negotiations were handled, describing the financial terms as opaque and claiming that the clubs’ frustrations were more than justified. He linked these decisions to broader governance issues that have placed Spanish football under intense scrutiny, arguing that strong oversight and transparency are essential for the sport’s credibility. Perez’s accusations, he said, were an attempt to deflect attention from Real Madrid’s own dealings, especially while the club continues its disputes with UEFA.