Javier Tebas has turned the row with Real Madrid into a line-by-line defence of his original post. He says the comparison was about propaganda techniques, not Nazi ideology, and he is leaning on an academic example to make that case.

Tebas's defence of the comparison

Speaking through Europa Press, Tebas cited the University of La Laguna, where the Journalism degree includes the compulsory first-year subject General Theory of Informative Messages. He said the course guide for the 2025-2026 academic year includes an exercise on the transfer of Goebbels' 11 principles of Propaganda to the present day.

His point is not subtle. Tebas says the comparison refers to systematic repetition, interested selection of facts and construction of an enemy. He also said, speaking about the controversy, that "Goebbels' propaganda techniques are studied in faculties of Journalism and Communication. And it is also studied how to recognise those mechanisms today."

He added: "The comparison is with those propaganda techniques, not with an ideology and certainly not with Real Madrid supporters", before closing off the backlash with, "Outrage does not refute them."

Real Madrid demanded Tebas's immediate resignation after his post on X, and the club have clearly not bought that explanation. Thomas Boker, writing for Kicker, went even harder, saying: "It is an insult to the victims: Tebas must resign. He has crossed the line irreparably."

Laporta's backing and Madrid's pressure

Barcelona have also been pulled into the dispute because Joan Laporta has gone public in Tebas's defence. Speaking in Sevilla on Saturday, he said Tebas has the experience required to handle Madrid's attacks on LaLiga.

Laporta's comments are awkward for Madrid because they come from the president of the current league leaders. Barcelona have 24 points from 8 league matches and sit first, while Madrid are on 18 points from 8 league matches and are fourth after winning four of their last five.

Laporta went further in separate comments, saying: "It seems as if they want to destroy everything, destroy La Liga, destroy the technical refereeing committee. They are also not happy with the federation, they are not happy with anything."

The row is now about more than Tebas's wording. Madrid's resignation demand has pushed the issue into a wider fight over tone, power and who gets to define what crossed the line. Tebas has chosen to answer it with detail, not retreat, and the next public flashpoint will arrive when he speaks again on the case.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →