Real Madrid demand resignation of La Liga chief after Goebbels comparison

What the report says

Real Madrid has called for the resignation of La Liga president Javier Tebas after he compared the club’s media tactics to propaganda techniques associated with Nazi Germany’s minister of propaganda, Joseph Goebbels. The dispute escalated on Friday after Tebas used social media to criticize Real Madrid TV’s coverage of refereeing decisions and accused the club’s leadership of spreading grievance and suspicion. Al Jazeera reported that Tebas said his comparison was about propaganda methods, not ideology or Real Madrid supporters.

In a statement, Real Madrid described the remarks as intolerable and unusually serious, arguing that Tebas had shown a lack of neutrality and impartiality incompatible with his role. The club also said it was unacceptable for him to use comments from journalists not connected to Real Madrid as a basis for accusations against the club. Real Madrid is asking Tebas to step down both as La Liga chief and as vice-president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

The confrontation adds to an ongoing feud between Real Madrid and the league’s leadership. Reuters, as carried by Al Jazeera, noted that Real Madrid had already pressed for a new La Liga president last month after Tebas dismissed the club’s complaints about officiating as a cover for poor performances. Tebas has led La Liga since 2013 and was re-elected unopposed in 2023 through 2027.