Sports Council seizes the TAD, Tebas under fire from Real Madrid
The French Sports Higher Council has referred the case to the Sports Administrative Tribunal (TAD) to examine the remarks made by Javier Tebas, comparing Real Madrid's communication to Nazi propaganda, after the October 16 message and the club's reaction on October 22. This action comes as the La Liga president publicly defends himself.
On October 22, the Sports Higher Council filed, on its own initiative, a reasoned request with the TAD to assess a possible serious offence under article 76.4.b of the 1990 Sports Act. The text specifies that these offences concern public acts that infringe on dignity or sporting decorum.
Javier Tebas' comment
On October 16, Javier Tebas posted on X that Real Madrid's communication method resembled the “propaganda mechanisms used by Goebbels, minister of propaganda of Nazi Germany.” He added that the comparison concerned propaganda techniques, not an ideology nor the Madrid supporters.
The Real club responded immediately, calling the comparison intolerable and of extraordinary seriousness, and demanded Tebas's immediate resignation.
Meanwhile, executive Miguel Galán filed a complaint with the Sports Higher Council, requesting the suspension of Javier Tebas's mandate.
Potential two‑year ban looms for La Liga chief Javier Tebas
In response to the TAD referral, Javier Tebas wrote on X: “Another request from the CSD and, once again, headlines about my possible dismissal. The reasons change, but the insistence remains. We expected it.” This statement underscores his anticipation of a disciplinary procedure.
During an interview with L’Équipe, Tebas clarified: “I did not call anyone a Nazi, of course. I was talking about a communication strategy. Defending the competition also means responding to those who constantly discredit it. That is part of my responsibilities and I will continue to assume them.” He added that leaving his post would be “inaudito”.
The institutional and legal response
The Sports Higher Council invokes article 76.4.b of the 1990 Sports Act, which defines serious offences as notorious public acts that infringe on sporting dignity or decorum. It recalls that dignity and decorum are linked to a framework of civilized coexistence, requiring mutual respect among the major actors of sport.
The Sports Administrative Tribunal, an independent collegial body, must now determine whether Javier Tebas's remarks constitute a breach of the legislation. The referral does not constitute a sanction and will not pre‑empt the TAD's decision.