Tebas launches fresh attack on Real Madrid: ‘Their methods recall Goebbels’ propaganda techniques’

La Liga president Javier Tebas has launched another attack on Real Madrid TV following the latest disputes involving the Spanish club, the refereeing community, the disciplinary bodies of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the league. 

The tensions centre on Vinicius Jr.’s red card, the four-match suspension imposed on the Brazilian and the timing of its announcement, as well as Real Madrid’s dissatisfaction with the scheduling of their upcoming fixture against Valencia. 

In a series of comments, Tebas accused Real Madrid’s leadership of coordinating a campaign that portrays the club as a victim of unfair treatment.

He also drew a controversial comparison between the methods used by Real Madrid TV and propaganda techniques employed by Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany’s minister of propaganda. 

“The management of Real Madrid directs an orchestra of spokespersons, and Real Madrid TV leads the way. The score is always the same: select the incidents that suit their interests, repeat the grievance, fuel suspicion and identify the enemies,” he wrote.

Continuing, he added: “This method recalls propaganda techniques exploited by Goebbels, the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany: systematic repetition, the creation of an enemy and the subordination of facts to a narrative.

“The comparison is with those propaganda techniques, not with an ideology and, of course, not with Real Madrid supporters.”

The La Liga president went on to describe Real Madrid TV as a central component of what he sees as the club’s strategy. 

“Real Madrid TV is a central part of that machinery. Where is the comprehensive analysis of every match each week? Where are the possible errors that harm other clubs or those that benefit Real Madrid?”

Continuing, he wrote: “If they applied the same scrutiny to every match, perhaps the results would spoil their script. But the script requires Real Madrid always to appear as the victim.

“The same technique is now being applied to fixture scheduling: they highlight what feeds the grievance and conceal the context that would allow it to be checked.”

Tebas also challenged Real Madrid’s complaints about the dates and kick-off times assigned to their matches, arguing that the club had benefited from numerous scheduling adjustments in the past. 

“How many requests to change kick-off times and dates has Real Madrid submitted, and how many have been granted? In this category, they are top of the table.

“Let the accepted requests be published too. They should not report only the one that suits them when constructing the latest controversy,” he said. 

Tebas launches another attack at Real Madrid. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images For Sportel)

Tebas also brought the Santiago Bernabeu’s event schedule into the debate, arguing that Real Madrid’s requests for adjustments to the football calendar should be considered alongside the benefits the club has received. 

“And requests relating to the calendar to facilitate events permitted under the ‘super-licence’ at the Santiago Bernabeu should also be included,” the La Liga chief stated.

“When it comes to asking the competition to accommodate their needs, they show plenty of initiative. When it comes to acknowledging the requests that have been granted, their memory is considerably less reliable,” he said. 

Tebas insisted that a complete account of the situation should include every request made by Real Madrid, the decisions taken and the reasons behind them. 

“That is the record that needs to be published: what Real Madrid requested, what was granted and what could not be accommodated, together with the reasons.

“Kick-off times also affect opponents, other clubs, supporters and the competition’s broadcasting commitments.

“A request does not become a right simply because it comes from Real Madrid, just as a refusal does not prove persecution. La Liga is defending its competition,” he explained. 

He concluded by criticising the club for presenting disagreements over scheduling as evidence of unfair treatment. 

“What is not credible is to request adjustments to match days, kick-off times and the calendar, then present every disagreement as proof that La Liga is harming the club. If they want to discuss the treatment they have received, they should tell the whole story.”