Javier Tebas Criticizes Real Madrid's Statement on FIFA's "Forward Forward Enterprise" Initiative

Real Madrid issued a statement on Sunday following FIFA's announcement that it was revoking its plan to sell a portion of the World Cup's commercial rights. The Spanish club expressed its "strong satisfaction with FIFA's decision to abandon the partial sale of commercial rights for its competitions," considering it "good news for football, its governing bodies, and, most importantly, for the millions of fans of our beloved sport."

In their statement, Real Madrid also referenced a project initiated by La Liga in 2021, an agreement with investment fund CVC to cede approximately 8.5% of TV rights revenue over the next 50 years in exchange for club investments. This plan bore similarities to the now-failed "FIFA Forward Enterprise" initiative. Real Madrid asserted that "Pledging revenue that belongs to clubs for half a century, when they bear all the costs and risks, sets a precedent that football should not repeat, whether domestically or internationally."

La Liga President Javier Tebas responded to this declaration, asserting that the agreement with CVC was voluntary and that not all clubs were compelled to accept it. "It was a decision made by a large majority of clubs, precisely within the framework of the autonomy that the statement itself claims to defend," Tebas stated. He retorted to Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez, adding, "It is quite contradictory that the one who criticizes other clubs for mortgaging their future income has himself mortgaged the Bernabéu's income, given access to a fund for twenty years for the management of certain stadium activities, and has spent almost a year proposing formulas to allow investors to enter Real Madrid's capital."

Furthermore, Tebas even cast doubt on whether Pérez was aware of FIFA's plans, questioning why it took so long to react, why Anas Laghari, Real Madrid's financial advisor, was present at the World Cup final, and why JP Morgan would be involved in FIFA's projects—a bank that was also involved in the Super League project initiated by Pérez.

"The principle seems simple: when Real Madrid decides freely, it's modernization and financial strategy; when other clubs decide freely, it's a burden," Tebas declared, justifying his tirade by recalling that Real Madrid "loses lawsuits year after year" and that "this not-so-superior body" has little credibility left.

English Translation:

Real Madrid issued a statement on Sunday following FIFA's announcement that it was revoking its plan to sell a portion of the World Cup's commercial rights. The Spanish club expressed its "strong satisfaction with FIFA's decision to abandon the partial sale of commercial rights for its competitions," considering it "good news for football, its governing bodies, and, most importantly, for the millions of fans of our beloved sport."

In their statement, Real Madrid also referenced a project initiated by La Liga in 2021, an agreement with investment fund CVC to cede approximately 8.5% of TV rights revenue over the next 50 years in exchange for club investments. This plan bore similarities to the now-failed "FIFA Forward Enterprise" initiative. Real Madrid asserted that "Pledging revenue that belongs to clubs for half a century, when they bear all the costs and risks, sets a precedent that football should not repeat, whether domestically or internationally."

La Liga President Javier Tebas responded to this declaration, asserting that the agreement with CVC was voluntary and that not all clubs were compelled to accept it. "It was a decision made by a large majority of clubs, precisely within the framework of the autonomy that the statement itself claims to defend," Tebas stated. He retorted to Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez, adding, "It is quite contradictory that the one who criticizes other clubs for mortgaging their future income has himself mortgaged the Bernabéu's income, given access to a fund for twenty years for the management of certain stadium activities, and has spent almost a year proposing formulas to allow investors to enter Real Madrid's capital."

Furthermore, Tebas even cast doubt on whether Pérez was aware of FIFA's plans, questioning why it took so long to react, why Anas Laghari, Real Madrid's financial advisor, was present at the World Cup final, and why JP Morgan would be involved in FIFA's projects—a bank that was also involved in the Super League project initiated by Pérez.

"The principle seems simple: when Real Madrid decides freely, it's modernization and financial strategy; when other clubs decide freely, it's a burden," Tebas declared, justifying his tirade by recalling that Real Madrid "loses lawsuits year after year" and that "this not-so-superior body" has little credibility left.