Javier Tebas has spoken out on the Dani Olmo case. But the president of La Liga did not attack FC Barcelona, but the sports court and arch-rival Real Madrid.
The fact that Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor have been given permission to play after all has met with a lack of understanding from many sides. Atletico Madrid, for example, described the decision of the Spanish sports court CSD as a “dangerous precedent”.
Clear words were also expected from Real Madrid. It is in the nature of things that decisions in favor of the Blaugrana are not exactly welcomed. But there was nothing.
Not even from Carlo Ancelotti, who remained silent when asked about the CSD decision. “Everyone has their own opinion,” said the Italian before the direct duel in the Supercopa final on Sunday. “What I think, I keep to myself.”
And that’s probably better, because swimming against the tide of the Real bosses is not a good idea for him either. An experience that Ancelotti had to make when he questioned Real Madrid’s participation in the new Club World Cup in an interview in June 2024 – and only had to backtrack shortly afterwards.
“Unusual speed” in the “tragicomedy”
But apparently Real Madrid is not too unhappy about the ruling, which makes it possible to circumvent the financial fair play of the league by means of sports jurisdiction. Which in turn has league president Tebas fuming: In a long statement on the platform X, Tebas wrote of a “tragicomedy”. It was a procedure that “was resolved with unusual speed, which did not allow for a hearing to be convened or La Liga and the RFEF to be involved”.
Tebas is even more outspoken. “For some time now, the CSD – in particular its president, who gives the necessary instructions – seems to have been aiming to dismantle the systems that work within La Liga and have broad support from the clubs,” the 62-year-old said regarding Financial Fair Play. “The president of the CSD seems to be listening to a single voice that does not represent professional Spanish football. And that voice, curiously, maintains an accomplice’s silence in this case. Where is Real Madrid TV now?” Tebas asked, referring to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the club’s own TV channel, which regularly discusses and criticizes referee decisions against the Whites in La Liga.
The main resentment, however, is directed at the CSD, which Tebas accuses of “profound ignorance” of the regulations. “This control, which is admired worldwide, has played a crucial role in saving numerous traditional clubs from ruin and ensuring fair competition both on and off the pitch. However, CSD is questioning this and once again demonstrating a lack of understanding of the impact of its decisions.”
