La Liga president Javier Tebas and Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez have never shied away from engaging in a war of words. However, Tebas’ recent criticism of the Blancos official stands out as one of his most eye-catching remarks.
The head of the Spanish top-flight sat with Sport for an interview and discussed an array of topics, ranging from Lionel Messi’s unexpected departure from the league to the controversial deal with private equity firm CVC. That arrangement looked to have secured $3.2BN in investment but drew fierce opposition from Los Merengues as well as fellow Spanish heavyweights Barcelona.
Blaugrana president Joan Laporta touched on this topic in a press conference, arguing that while the CVC deal would secure an immediate injection of cash, it would require mortgaging the club’s rights for 50 years.
Many believed that had Barcelona accepted the deal, they would have secured the necessary funds to renew Messi’s contract, but Laporta deemed the half-a-century agreement as too risky for the club and thus let La Pulga go for free to PSG.
However, Tebas offered a different interpretation on how things unfolded. According to the Liga president, the Catalan giants had accepted the terms but pulled out due to Real Madrid’s rejection.
Tebas also claimed that Florentino Perez is “holding Barcelona hostage” while accusing the Blancos president of suffering from an inferiority complex, saying (as per Marca):
“Florentino Perez is holding Barcelona hostage,” Tebas said in the interview with Sport.
“Barcelona were in agreement with the CVC deal for around a month, until Real Madrid said no.
“There is an inferiority complex in the club with Florentino Perez.”
Tebas did not stop there. He also touched upon Messi’s exit as the league’s refusal to ease their financial fair play regulations was blamed for the Argentine’s departure as the Blaugrana could not register him despite all but agreeing a new deal. However, the Spanish top-flight president claims that his exit had nothing to do with financial reasons.
“I know for certain that his departure wasn’t for economic reasons and that it could have been avoided,” Tebas added.
“Perhaps Messi’s exit has been the hardest for me because I think he is the best in history.
“He didn’t deserve to leave like this, not only leaving Barcelona but also LaLiga.”
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