La Liga Chief Tebas Faces Possible Disciplinary Action Over Nazi Propaganda Comparison

La Liga president Javier Tebas could face disciplinary action after Spain’s National Sports Council referred his comparison of Real Madrid’s communication tactics to Nazi propaganda to the country’s Administrative Court for Sport.

The Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) announced on Thursday that it had referred the matter to the Administrative Court for Sport (TAD) to determine whether Tebas committed an offence through comments posted on X on October 16.

The tribunal will assess whether the remarks could constitute a serious offence under Spain’s 1990 Sports Law, which covers public acts that harm sporting dignity or decorum.

Controversial Remarks Spark Backlash

The controversy began after Tebas criticised Real Madrid’s efforts to challenge the standard of refereeing in Spanish football. He accused the club’s television channel of repeatedly suggesting that referees were acting against Madrid’s interests.

Tebas said the channel’s communication tactics “recall propaganda mechanisms exploited by Goebbels,” referring to Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany’s propaganda minister.

Real Madrid subsequently called for the 64-year-old league president to resign. Tebas later clarified that his remarks referred to propaganda techniques rather than Nazi ideology.

Tebas Questions Consistency

In a further post on X on Thursday, Tebas defended his position and questioned whether Real Madrid’s repeated accusations against Spanish refereeing could also harm sporting dignity and decorum.

Real Madrid has frequently criticised refereeing decisions through its in-house television channel. The club previously described officiating in Spain as “rigged” and “totally discredited”.

The CSD said protecting sporting dignity, respect, coexistence and fair play was important. The TAD will determine whether Tebas’s comments warrant disciplinary proceedings under Spanish sports regulations.

AFP