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Real Madrid Demands La Liga President Resign After Nazi Comparison

Reported by Rituparna Sen (Section Editor) · The Guardian - Sport ·

Verified — Confirmed by a second source: BBC Sport

Confirmed by a second source: BBC Sport

Important
Real Madrid Demands La Liga President Resign After Nazi ComparisonPhoto: Wikimedia Commons

UPDATE - follow-up to Carrick includes Martínez in squad; Maresca feels 'no stress'; Watford sacking reports 'fake news': football – live: Real Madrid has demanded the immediate resignation of La Liga president Javier Tebas after he compared the club's media tactics to the propaganda techniques of Nazi official Joseph Goebbels. Tebas posted on social media criticising Real Madrid's in-house television channel for running reels of referee errors before upcoming matches, stating that the method recalls the systematic repetition and enemy-building used by the World War II propaganda minister. He later clarified that the comparison applied only to propaganda techniques rather than ideology or fans.

Club Response

Real Madrid rejected the clarification and called the remarks deeply offensive, morally repugnant, and extraordinarily serious. The club stated that Tebas lacks the neutrality, respect, and impartiality required for his institutional responsibilities as head of the top flight and vice-president of the Spanish Football Association.

Context

Tebas has a history of sharp disagreements with Real Madrid and club president Florentino Pérez over issues including officiating complaints and the proposed European Super League. Spanish football authorities frequently face high-profile administrative clashes and public disputes involving top club executives and league officials.

Background: This follows an earlier report, covered earlier on 16 Oct 2026: 'Carrick includes Martínez in squad; Maresca feels 'no stress'; Watford sacking reports 'fake news': football – live'. Read the earlier report →

ExplainerWhy this matters

What Happened

Real Madrid demanded the immediate resignation of La Liga president Javier Tebas after he publicly compared the club's media strategy and TV broadcasts to Nazi propaganda methods used by Joseph Goebbels.

Why It Matters

This escalation highlights a severe breakdown in trust between Spain's governing football body and its most successful club. Accusations of bias and calls for high-level resignations damage the institutional stability of Spanish football and deepen long-running tensions over refereeing, financial rules, and governance.

What Happens Next

Real Madrid is likely to continue pushing for administrative changes and pursuing formal complaints against league leadership, while football regulators and club officials navigate ongoing disputes over league administration and media rights.

Read more at The Guardian - Sport →