Real Madrid fans used Sunday’s 4-1 win against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu to voice their frustration with La Liga president Javier Tebas and Barcelona’s Joan Laporta.
According to a report published on Real Madrid’s official website, supporters displayed a large banner in the south stand with the message: “This isn’t football, it’s Tebas and Negreira.”
The home crowd also directed chants at Tebas, demanding his resignation and protesting against what they consider unfair treatment of the club.
Among the chants heard at the stadium were: “Tebas, leave now,” “Javier Tebas, resign,” “Laporta is still paying,” “Corruption in the Federation,” “Negreira is still refereeing,” and “Tebas’s hands off Madrid.”
The protests centred on the Negreira case, which concerns payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee. The payments have prompted investigations and allegations concerning potential influence over refereeing, which Barcelona has denied.
The demonstrations added an off-field talking point to Madrid’s victory over Sevilla, as sections of the home support used the match to voice their grievances over the case and their relationship with football authorities.
Real Madrid secured the 4-1 win on the pitch, but the chants and banner showed that the club’s supporters remain vocal about the Negreira controversy and their concerns over the governance of Spanish football.
What You Should Know
Real Madrid supporters have publicly expressed their anger over the ‘Negreira case,’ which involves payments made by Barcelona to companies linked to a former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee. During the match, fans displayed banners and chanted for the resignation of La Liga officials, accusing the league of unfair treatment and corruption.
- Positive Impact: These demonstrations highlight a strong demand for transparency and integrity within professional sports, ensuring that governing bodies remain accountable to the fans.
- Potential Concerns: The ongoing scandal continues to cast a shadow over Spanish football, creating deep divisions between major clubs and damaging the league’s reputation on the international stage.
