Real Madrid Demands La Liga Chief's Resignation Over Nazi Propaganda Comparison

Real Madrid is demanding the resignation of La Liga President Javier Tebas after he drew a parallel between the club’s management rhetoric and propaganda methods employed by Nazi Germany. Tebas, who has served as La Liga president since 2013, stated on social media that "Real Madrid’s management directs an orchestra of mouthpieces and Real Madrid TV leads the singing." This comment was in response to articles in the El Debate newspaper, which suggested Tebas and La Liga were acting against Real Madrid's interests. Tebas accused the newspaper's authors of amplifying a message on behalf of Real's management.

The dispute between Real Madrid and Tebas has intensified with this latest demand for his resignation. Last month, Real Madrid called for a new La Liga president after Tebas dismissed their complaints about refereeing decisions as a 'smokescreen' for their on-field performance issues. On Friday, Tebas specifically criticized Real Madrid TV's coverage of officiating, stating, "Their score is always the same: select the plays that suit them, repeat the grievance, feed the suspicion and point fingers at the enemies." He further elaborated that this method "recalls propaganda mechanisms used by Goebbels, Nazi Germany’s Minister of Propaganda," clarifying that the comparison was to propaganda techniques, not ideology or the Real Madrid fanbase.

In a statement released later on Friday, Real Madrid declared Tebas's comparison "intolerable and extraordinarily serious," asserting that his conduct demonstrates a lack of neutrality, respect, and impartiality incompatible with his institutional responsibilities. The club also criticized Tebas for using information from journalists unrelated to Real Madrid to direct accusations at them. Tebas, 64, was re-elected unopposed as La Liga president in 2023 until 2027. Real Madrid's statement was issued shortly after La Liga confirmed the club would be part of the league's Executive Committee for the current season.