Spain's CSD refers Tebas's Real Madrid TV remarks to sports tribunal

Spain's National Sports Council (Consejo Superior de Deportes, CSD), the government body overseeing sport, announced on 22 October 2026 that it had referred comments by LaLiga president Javier Tebas about Real Madrid to the Administrative Sports Tribunal (Tribunal Administrativo del Deporte, TAD). According to Mundo Deportivo, the CSD acted on its own initiative rather than in response to a complaint. Tebas quickly hit back, describing the move as an excuse.

Why did the CSD refer Tebas to the TAD?

The referral concerns a post Tebas published on X in which he likened Real Madrid's communication methods to the propaganda techniques used by Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany's propaganda minister. According to the EFE news agency, the post went up on 16 October 2026 and was aimed at the club's in-house channel, Real Madrid TV.

The CSD has asked the TAD to determine whether there is any indication that Tebas breached Article 76.4.b of Spain's Sports Law 10/1990, which classes as a serious offence any well-known, public act that undermines sporting dignity or decorum. The referral is not a finding of wrongdoing: the TAD, an independent body, will decide whether the remarks meet that legal threshold.

How did Tebas respond?

Javier Tebas answered the CSD with a short, pointed message. As reported by Marca, the LaLiga chief suggested the outcome had been decided in advance, saying in effect: "One more. Any excuse was going to do."

Spanish media report that Tebas has maintained since the row began that he did not call anyone a Nazi and that his words were misrepresented. Citing freedom of expression, he has refused to apologise to Real Madrid or to step down. According to the same reports, Real Madrid called for his resignation after the post, while CSD president José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes urged him to apologise to the club.

Timeline of the Tebas–Real Madrid TV row

1. July 2024 — The TAD opened disciplinary proceedings against Tebas over a possible "very serious" offence following a complaint from Real Madrid.
2. 16 October 2026 — Tebas compares Real Madrid's communication to Goebbels's propaganda methods in a post on X.
3. October 2026 — Real Madrid call for his resignation and CSD president Rodríguez Uribes asks for an apology; Tebas stands firm.
4. 22 October 2026 — The CSD acts on its own initiative and refers the remarks to the TAD.
5. 22 October 2026 — Tebas responds: "Una más. Cualquier excusa iba a servir".

What happens next?

The case now sits with the TAD. The tribunal will first assess whether the remarks show signs of a breach under Article 76.4.b, then decide whether to open disciplinary proceedings. Neither the CSD statement nor the reports specify what sanction could follow. The row also comes just before a big date on the pitch: Real Madrid visit Barcelona in LaLiga on 25 October 2026.

On the pitch, Real Madrid have picked up form in recent weeks, beating Sevilla 4-1 on 18 October 2026 and RB Leipzig 4-1 in the Champions League on 21 October 2026. Off it, the club's long-running feud with LaLiga's leadership shows no sign of easing.

Sources: details of the CSD referral come from Mundo Deportivo; Tebas's response was reported by Marca. The process is ongoing; ScoreLab will update this article as it develops.