The tension between La Liga president Javier Tebas and former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has never been a secret, but recent messages leaked from the latter's phone claim a coordinated campaign to remove him from office. Besides him, he had the two biggest clubs in Spain.
As part of recent revelations from The Objective, the leak of messages between Rubiales and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and Gerard Pique, the Slovenian described Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez as an “idiot and racist”. Rubiales was working with Pérez until the Premier League issue came to light, which turned the Real Madrid president against him. The letter was sent in 2019, and says they also had the support of then-Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
“Me, Florentino and Bartomeu were trying to find a candidate against Tebas, but now I think Florentino is against me. But I will continue. UEFA’s position is the honest one.”
🚨 The dressing room believes that Xavi will not be at the club next season. The current Barcelona coach is saddened by recent events, especially the treatment received by President Laporta. @fansjavimiguel
— Barca Center (@BarcaCenter) May 23, 2024
The chaotic behind-the-scenes politics of Spanish football have been highlighted in recent years, with the outbreak of scandals involving both Barcelona and the Spanish Football Federation. They clearly were unsuccessful in their campaign, as Bartomeu lost a vote of no confidence in 2020, and Rubiales was forced to resign in 2023.
