Tebas hits back at Real Madrid: 'You have to choose between good and evil'

Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, has responded strongly to Real Madrid's accusations that the competition is adulterated following the controversial refereeing in the Metropolitano derby. Speaking at the XII Altruism Awards Gala, the league chief defended the integrity of the tournament and made clear he has no intention of remaining silent over what he sees as an attack on all clubs.

• Tebas accepts complaints about the Kang-in Lee yellow card but rejects claims of an adulterated competition.
• The LaLiga president says he has heard Real Madrid call for his departure for 12 years.
• He argues that remaining silent over attacks on the league's integrity would be irresponsible.
• He points out that clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Sevilla have also expressed their frustration with Real Madrid.
• He believes the Negreira case has been dragged out unnecessarily since 2019.

What Tebas says about the Metropolitano derby refereeing

The LaLiga president made a clear distinction between specific criticism of refereeing decisions and sweeping accusations against the competition. “I understand the criticism over the referee getting the Kang-in Lee card wrong, that I can understand. But I cannot understand saying the competition is adulterated,” Tebas told those attending the gala.

For the league chief, the Kang-in Lee incident was a refereeing error but not as blatant as Real Madrid's camp has suggested. He explained that the game restarted very quickly and questioned whether the VAR team had enough time to react. Tebas added that he does not know what images some people are watching, implying they must be wearing different glasses from everyone else.

Tebas hits back at Real Madrid TV and the club's narrative

Tebas was direct when talking about content broadcast by Real Madrid TV. He recalled that the club channel said referees only need to walk onto the pitch with a revolver. In his view, if that kind of comment is considered normal and the LaLiga president is expected to stay quiet, then people are falling into idiocy. He added that he is not on that path and will not stop responding.

“I don't know what images some people are watching. They must have different glasses from the rest. The Kang-in incident was a mistake but not as blatant as it's being made out to be.”

The president stressed that it is normal to get angry and complain about a refereeing decision. Many clubs do it, he said, but none go so far as to claim LaLiga is fixed. In his opinion, when Real Madrid attacks the competition and its integrity, it is attacking every club and showing disrespect for a tournament where all teams make their greatest efforts.

A 12-year conflict: from demands for a new president to defending integrity

Regarding Real Madrid's call for a new LaLiga president, Tebas remained sceptical. He said he has been hearing the same thing for 12 years and he is still here. The president believes that whenever the club goes through internal or sporting problems, attacks appear against everything that moves. Similar tensions have emerged on previous occasions, and Tebas sees it as a recurring strategy.

Tebas explained that his duty as president is to say what he thinks and what he believes is happening. If he did not do so, he argued, he would be irresponsible. He defended the view that the league cannot remain passive in the face of statements from club officials or its television channel. For him, you have to choose between good and evil, and he has decided to take a stand.

The LaLiga president pointed out that dissatisfaction among other clubs with Real Madrid's stance is nothing new. He mentioned that Atletico Madrid already expressed it through a post and that Sevilla and other teams have done the same. It hurts people, he said, when the competition where they are making their greatest efforts is described as adulterated and this league is said to be worthless.

Respect for Real Madrid as a club, criticism of its leaders

Tebas wanted to draw an important distinction: his respect for Real Madrid as a club and institution. He said the club is the team of his life. However, he expressed total disagreement with its current leadership, whom he accuses of trying to destroy LaLiga for many years. That separation between the entity and the people running it sets the tone for his message.

Despite the criticism aimed at him, the president said he is already used to Real Madrid disrespecting him. What he cannot tolerate is the same being done to the competition. His position is not new, but on this occasion the message was particularly blunt and direct about the club's communication strategy.

The Negreira case remains part of Tebas's message

The head of LaLiga also addressed the Negreira case, which continues to fuel debate in Spanish football. Tebas believes people are stretching the issue out after it ended in 2019, and questioned whether this will continue for many more years. The case is now in court and LaLiga has been a private prosecutor for a long time.

The president defended his active role in protecting the competition. He asked people to imagine a president who said nothing in the face of accusations about lack of integrity. For him that silence would be unthinkable. That is why he considers it necessary to speak out and defend the image of a league that he says is being questioned without solid arguments.