Javier Tebas spoke at the "World in Progress" forum in Barcelona about his relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. GOAL said Tebas's comments were reported by Sport newspaper, and the remarks touched on past disagreements as well as a more recent public exchange.
Tebas on his relationship with Laporta
Speaking at the "World in Progress" forum in Barcelona, in comments reported by Sport newspaper, Tebas said: "My relationship with Laporta has gone through good times and bad, it is like a rollercoaster."
He added: "When they managed the club well, they understood how the rules of financial fair play work, and this helped to make our relationship more professional."
His stance and his thanks
Tebas went on: "I understand Laporta's statements, he knows that I have always been keen to hold an independent position and to apply justice, and I have not submitted to any pressure of any kind. Had I done so, the league would have lost much of its authority in front of the clubs. I thank him for his words."
Disputes cited by GOAL
GOAL said one of the sharpest flashpoints between Tebas and Barcelona was the investment deal with the CVC fund. GOAL said Tebas backed the CVC project, while Barcelona refused to join it.
GOAL said Barcelona struggled to register several of their players because of their finances, and Tebas insisted the regulations applied to the club without exception.
Public exchange on 1 July 2026
GOAL said Laporta had previously revealed that institutional and personal relations with Tebas were improving. On 1 July 2026, at the ceremony confirming Laporta as Barcelona president for a new term running until 2031, Tebas and Laporta traded warm words in front of those gathered.
Tebas said: "We may agree more or less, but we will always look for what is best for football and the league."
Laporta fired back a message of his own, aimed straight at the La Liga president: "You have in Barcelona a loyal ally for promoting the Spanish league all over the world, at both the domestic and international levels. We are always ready to cooperate with you, and we have proven that and will continue to work in this way."
