Real Madrid demands resignation of Javier Tebas over Goebbels comparison

Real Madrid has issued an official statement demanding the immediate resignation of Javier Tebas from his posts as president of LaLiga and as vice‑president of the Spanish Football Federation, after Tebas compared the club’s methods to the propaganda techniques of Joseph Goebbels. The club described Tebas’s words as “absolutely unbearable” and extremely serious, saying a subsequent clarification did not lessen the offensive nature of the remark.

Complaint to UEFA and calls for structural overhaul

Real Madrid said the comparison — even if Tebas later said it referred to propaganda methods rather than Nazi ideology — “does not reduce the deeply offensive, morally repugnant and institutionally unworthy character of these statements.” The club argued that it is unacceptable for someone holding high positions in Spanish football to use such comparisons to discredit the club, its management and its television channel.

Fans of Real Madrid described Tebas’s comments as yet another episode in his ongoing attacks against the club, its president and its media outlets. The club additionally criticised Tebas for using external publications, opinions and questions from journalists to assign responsibility for actions for which Real Madrid says it is not answerable.

Because Tebas did not receive a satisfactory response from the institutions where he holds office, Real Madrid said it was forced to take the matter directly to UEFA. The club said its approach to UEFA aims to clarify payments that Barcelona made over the years to the former vice‑president of the Refereeing Technical Committee in the Negreira affair.

Real Madrid is also demanding a full audit of the refereeing system and the governing structures of Spanish football, including those responsible for administration, oversight and disciplinary procedures. The club says these changes should include replacing those who held positions of responsibility during the period in question.

In its statement Real Madrid accused Tebas of lacking neutrality, respect and impartiality — qualities the club says are incompatible with his institutional duties. The club concluded by asserting that such conduct would be unacceptable in any European sporting institution that claims to be guided by respect, neutrality and integrity and demanded his immediate resignation.

Photo: press material from the event