Javier Tebas backs Barcelona’s call to sanction Florentino Perez

La Liga president Javier Tebas responded to Barcelona’s letter earlier this week, addressing comments made on 12 and 13 May. The response signals the league’s intent to protect its institutions.

Acting president Rafa Yuste sent the letter, urging La Liga, the RFEF and the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) to defend the reputation of Spanish football bodies and to take legal and disciplinary action against Florentino Perez over the May comments.

Tebas said he shares Barcelona’s concerns that public statements could damage the integrity, honour and prestige of the institutions and competitions overseen by La Liga.

He stressed that accusations without proven evidence are unacceptable, referring specifically to claims about the alleged purchase of referees linked to the Negreira case, an issue repeatedly raised by Florentino Perez and Real Madrid.

Tebas highlighted that La Liga has already acted on several occasions against Real Madrid in defence of the competition’s reputation, citing previous complaints over content broadcast on Real Madrid TV and a lodged complaint with the RFEF’s Competition Committee that was later dismissed.

He added that the league pursued further appeals before the Administrative Sports Tribunal (TAD) and administrative courts after the dismissal.

Tebas also recalled La Liga’s action in 2025 when Real Madrid and its board publicly called for reforms to the refereeing system and demanded the removal of officials linked to the Negreira era within the CTA.

In his response, Tebas underlined that La Liga will continue to respect the ongoing judicial proceedings regarding the Negreira case, where the league remains a private prosecutor seeking clarification of the facts.

He warned that La Liga will keep opposing any attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the competitions or cast doubt on the integrity of Spanish refereeing without evidence, reaffirming its commitment to protect the image and credibility of the competition.