LaLiga President Tebas Reignites Feud with PSG Chief Al-Khelaifi Over French Football Crisis
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has launched a fresh verbal assault on Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, directly blaming him for the severe financial problems currently plaguing French football. The latest salvo in their long-running war of words came during the FT Business of Football Summit, where Tebas pointed to what he described as systemic failures in France's football governance.
History of Conflict Between Football Power Brokers
Tebas and Al-Khelaifi have been locked in a bitter rivalry for years, with tensions first exploding in 2017 when PSG executed the controversial transfer of Brazilian superstar Neymar from Barcelona. That move, which occurred against the wishes of both Barcelona and LaLiga officials, established a pattern of confrontation between the Spanish league boss and the Qatari-owned French club's leadership.
The current conflict centers on the deteriorating financial situation in French football, where Ligue 1 has seen its media rights value collapse following the failure of several major broadcasting deals. This crisis has forced most French clubs to sell their top talent to remain financially viable, creating a competitive imbalance that Tebas attributes directly to Al-Khelaifi's dual roles.
Tebas Points to Leadership Crisis and Conflict of Interest
"The French league, in my opinion, they haven't got good financial fair play rules and also the bodies have not applied them correctly," Tebas stated unequivocally at the summit. "I can't go into greater depth on this but, that together with the broadcast problems they have, makes their situation more complicated."
The LaLiga president emphasized what he sees as a fundamental principle being violated in French football: "Leagues have to be fully aware we are leading a group of clubs and the interests of the competition have to be above those of the clubs, no matter how big the clubs are."
Tebas specifically highlighted Al-Khelaifi's position as both PSG chairman and chairman of Ligue 1 broadcaster BeIn as creating what he called "a clear conflict of interest." He added pointedly: "In France they've got a leadership crisis and they have to face the situation. The problem is not being solved."
BeIn Denies Conflict of Interest Allegations
The controversy intensified earlier this month when BeIn outbid Ligue 1's own media platform for rights to broadcast this summer's World Cup, a move widely seen as damaging to the French league's financial recovery efforts. The incident prompted Ligue 1 media boss Nicolas de Tavernost to resign in protest against BeIn's actions.
BeIn has responded to the criticism by clarifying that Al-Khelaifi does not have operational or executive responsibilities at the broadcaster and is recused from any league-level decision-making involving BeIn. The company maintains there is no conflict of interest in his dual roles.
Meanwhile, Tebas himself maintains a directorship at London-based Peak Sport Media, which describes itself as "a long-term strategic partner of LaLiga," though this connection has not been cited as problematic in the current dispute.
The financial insulation of PSG, with its vast revenues from Qatari ownership, stands in stark contrast to the struggles of other French clubs, creating what Tebas views as an unsustainable competitive environment that threatens the entire French football ecosystem.
