LaLiga chief Tebas hits out at RFEF president’s ‘ignorance’

Javier Tebas slammed the “ignorance” of The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales for living “in another world” in regards to the proposed European Super League.

Outspoken LaLiga boss Tebas has been a vociferous critic of the new Super League plans, a competition featuring 60 to 80 teams spread across several divisions, which guarantees clubs 14 games per season.

The new Super League proposals came almost two years after 12 clubs, including LaLiga giants Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, attempted to form a breakaway competition.

Rubiales seemingly infuriated Tebas by suggesting to the Europa Press the latter was the “best ambassador for the European Super League”.

Tebas wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: “The president of the RFEF lives in another world, and shows his ignorance in economic data, television and such.

“By the way, in UEFA, they do not think the same as he does in his statement.”

Tebas refuted claims Spanish football will be unable to compete with England’s Premier League, referencing a “sustainable” model LaLiga clubs are operating under.

“LaLiga does not compete with the [Premier] League for a commercial issue,” Tebas added. “It is a losing league. It is losing billions of pounds a year and that is how it is financing its transfers. 

“Our big clubs with television rights are totally competitive with the English, where they are not with losses. And here we have decided on a sustainable football that we are not going to lose.

“TV audiences go up, stadiums are filled, losses are controlled, but Rubiales’ analysis is that LaLiga should follow the example of competitions ruined by the RFEF and a streamers event [the Gerard Pique-backed Kings League], in which they disguise themselves as clowns. I don’t get that out of my amazement.

“We are always open to listening and learning, but if the one who tries to give us lessons is a ruinous manager who also lies, then you have to go to the data.”

The RFEF swiftly responded to Tebas’ series of messages, insisting the governing body has developing Spanish football at the forefront of its aims.

“We make proposals with respect and education,” the RFEF posted on Twitter. 

“We denounce the falsehoods that, no matter how much the president of the League repeats them, are not true. We remain open to collaborating to make Spanish football better.”