“It is not true that we have lost”
MADRID, 27 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, recognized this Thursday that the “influence” of the president of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, “is very important”, after the Culture and Sports Commission of the Congress of Deputies did not go ahead with the amendment that worried the employers and that was related to the project of the European Super League, which would not have opposition in this new legislation.
The leader began the appearance after the meeting with the 42 LaLiga clubs by thanking the position of the “political groups in Congress that intervened expressing their support” for the employers. In addition, he recognized the work of the Minister of Culture and Sports, Miquel Iceta, “for understanding the problem.”
“The opposition did not attend to us, but the Government did. From that meeting solutions were proposed, the way of the solution was opened, which in this case was to modify the paragraph of article 47 in relation to the commercial exploitation of the commercial rights of the clubs and the players. Now it is reflected for the leagues, it generated a very important legal insecurity for us, and he understood it. It was agreed at the last minute and we are uncomfortably satisfied, “said Tebas.
For this reason, the president of the employers’ association insisted that “it is not true” that they have “lost” to Athletic Club, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, with regard to commercial rights. “We wanted the current ‘status quo’ of the Sports Law, with which we are comfortable with CVC, to remain, we wanted legal certainty. LaLiga did not appear in the commercial exploitation process, the Federation did”, he stated.
“They have chosen to remove the federations, it is as it is now. Our solution was the amendment, before removing powers from the federation. That insecurity no longer exists,” he explained about the modification of article 47 regarding the exploitation of Rights.
This change in the wording of one of the paragraphs, which now takes into account the leagues in that exploitation, will allow the 39 clubs that agreed to the alliance with CVC “to continue charging” what was agreed. “CVC is legally comfortable, as it has been up to now, in being in the current situation,” he stressed.
“The general position of the clubs has been that we are not stupid, that we do things with conviction. The clubs make decisions with full awareness, without pressure, Tebas does not do what they want in LaLiga. They have to convince others, this is democracy,” he said regarding the decision-making process in the employers’ association.
“WE ARE GOING TO KO THE SUPERLIGA, WE HAVE OUR MECHANISMS”
What leaves LaLiga “uncomfortably satisfied” is the amendment that could stop projects such as the Superliga, led by Florentino Pérez. “With that article they indirectly benefit the Super League strategy. And it surprises me, because they (the Government and PP) have spoken out against that Super League and sometimes they don’t see the impact they can have. But we have many mechanisms to fight for the Super League , even legal, that will allow us to continue facing this battle. Also with UEFA, which has our support with this issue”, he commented.
“Florentino Pérez’s influence is very important,” said Tebas, asked why the PP and the government had changed their opinion regarding that article, which would allow the white leader’s project to go ahead. “Also, with a wrong argument. We are going to knock her out anyway, even if that would have paved the way for us, we have other formulas,” he added.
Tebas insisted at a press conference that “the PP has been sold” that the Superliga issue, “as it is judicialized”, cannot “withdraw that phrase” that would continue to hinder a project that “will destroy” the clubs. “I am convinced that the Government and the PP are not in favor, but for this it is necessary to say it and do it”, he criticized.
“You have to do a real analysis of what is happening with the Super League. The will of the states, those who legislate, the vast majority, is against this model of the Super League, and that is very important. The EU commissioner signed an agreement with UEFA supporting the sport model that is with UEFA”, argued a Tebas who was convinced that UEFA will end up creating a “regulatory umbrella” against this type of competition. “But it’s true, Florentino never loses. But we’re not sad, it was what we wanted,” he said.
And it is that Tebas does not see a consensus with FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic, although he hopes that “they will return to being participatory as they have been today”. “They cannot pretend that it is what they want. The problems with Real Madrid and Barcelona are problems of basic principles of how we understand professional sport. How can we have a consensus with them if they defend the Super League, the effect of which will be to destroy small clubs? It is impossible to reach consensus that supposes the self-destruction of the competition and the clubs”, he reflected.
Now, following the parliamentary procedure, this Sports Law Project will go to the plenary session of Congress with the amendments that were presented in the Commission. “In the Senate we start from scratch again, with new amendments. We have asked Real Madrid and the rest if they will present, but they have told us no. Let’s hope they don’t influence, with that capacity that someone has to influence… But everything is possible”, settled.