La Liga Chief Tebas Defends Barcelona as He Turns On Real Madrid over Negreira Case

Key Takeaways: Javier Tebas described his connection with Barcelona and Joan Laporta as a "rollercoaster", marked by both cooperation and disagreement in recent years Financial regulations, player registration dilemmas, and the CVC investment deal have led to several disputes between La Liga's president and the club On 1 July 2026, both leaders publicly reaffirmed improved relations during the ceremony installing Laporta for a new term, pledging ongoing collaboration A Turbulent Relationship Finds Balance Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has reflected on the long and varied history of his relations with Barcelona's president Joan Laporta, likening it to a "rollercoaster" due to frequent shifts between contention and cooperation. Despite past frictions, the two now enjoy a more professional rapport, although some matters of dispute persist.

Speaking at the "World in Progress" forum in Barcelona, as reported by Sport newspaper, Tebas acknowledged Laporta's recent support in the face of criticisms from Real Madrid. He emphasised Laporta's recognition of his impartiality and his determination to maintain La Liga's independence, stating the president has consistently avoided any capitulation to club pressures.

Tebas remarked, "My relationship with Laporta has gone through good times and bad, it is like a rollercoaster." He further commented on the increased professionalism in their association when the club managed operations within the established rules of financial fair play. As president of La Liga, are you concerned about the deterioration of relations between Barcelona and Real Madrid?

Javier Tebas: What concerns me is the essence. The essence today of the deteriorated relations between Real Madrid and Barcelona is an essence that consists of stretching the Negreira case like chewing gum.

It's being stretched like chewing gum to see how long this gum will last-I don't know-and I think that's unacceptable. Because we are a party in the Negreira case.

We went to the Public Prosecutor's Office before Real Madrid did. Real Madrid's president was on the board for 6 months since the Negreira case became known.

Real Madrid's president, in one of the general assemblies, said that Barça was a friendly club while they were in the Super League. So, on the day they leave the Super League, it seems that everything changes and he sees the light-and that's what needs to be analyzed from Real Madrid's position.

Until then, it seemed that the judicial proceedings should take their course, and since they left the Super League, it seems that Negreira is in the referees' dressing rooms in every match Real Madrid plays. That's what needs to be analyzed and to see what's happening-and that's why, when you talk about relations, we must clarify here what's happening in the ongoing attack that FC Barcelona is subjected to, because the gum is being stretched excessively.

FC Barcelona will bear its responsibilities, but now it's not possible to blame it for this continuing like this.