LaLiga chief Tebas referred to tribunal over Real Madrid Nazi comparison

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 17:08 · Archive

Spain's sports authority has referred LaLiga president Javier Tebas to a tribunal after he compared Real Madrid's communication methods to Nazi propaganda.

Spain's National Sports Council has referred LaLiga president Javier Tebas to the country's sports tribunal after he compared Real Madrid's communication methods to Nazi propaganda on social media on 16 October. The tribunal must determine whether the comments breach Spain's 1990 Sports Law, which protects sporting dignity and decorum. Sanctions available range from warnings and fines to suspension.

Tebas made the comparison whilst criticising what he said were Real Madrid's efforts to discredit refereeing in Spain. He said the club's in-house television channel often suggested that referees attempted to prevent the club from winning, and that these tactics "recall propaganda mechanisms exploited by Goebbels". Real Madrid responded by calling for Tebas's immediate resignation, calling his conduct a "lack of neutrality, respect and impartiality incompatible with his institutional responsibilities" and describing the comparison as "absolutely intolerable".

Tebas later clarified that he had drawn a comparison with propaganda techniques rather than Nazi ideology. He questioned on social media why Madrid's accusations against the refereeing system did not similarly breach sporting dignity values. Real Madrid has regularly criticised Spanish refereeing and last year accused officiating of being "rigged" and "totally discredited".

How it is being reported

• Real Madrid’s complaint over La Liga chief’s Nazi slant sent to tribunalLa Liga chief Javier Tebas compared Real Madrid's communication to Nazi propaganda and now faces a tribunal in Spain.Al Jazeera · 22 Oct, 16:35
• LaLiga chief Javier Tebas faces tribunal after drawing comparison between Real Madrid and Nazi propagandaJavier Tebas made the controversial comments about Real Madrid on social media last weekIndependent Sport · 22 Oct, 15:48

In this story: Javier Tebas · Real Madrid · LaLiga · Spain · Joseph Goebbels · National Sports Council

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