Tebas Launches Fresh Attack on PSG and Al-Khelaïfi Over Financial Fair Play Influence
The long-running tension between Javier Tebas and Paris Saint-Germain has reignited once again—this time on an international stage.
Speaking at a high-profile event hosted by the Financial Times, the president of La Liga delivered a scathing critique of PSG and its president, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. His comments centered on what he sees as a deep conflict of interest in European football governance—particularly regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations under UEFA.
“It’s a Joke” — Tebas Pulls No Punches
Tebas has never been known for diplomatic restraint, and he didn’t hold back this time either. He openly questioned the credibility of having PSG and Al-Khelaïfi closely involved in financial regulatory structures that are meant to ensure competitive balance across Europe.
“For me, it’s a joke that PSG and Al-Khelaïfi are in charge of financial fair play,” Tebas said. “I don’t think it’s ideal.”
His remarks reflect long-standing concerns about whether state-backed clubs—particularly those financed by sovereign wealth—operate on a level playing field with traditionally run clubs.
A Decade of Spending Under Scrutiny
While Tebas acknowledged that PSG has shown more restraint in recent transfer windows, he suggested that the club’s recent moderation does not erase what he describes as years of excessive spending.
“It’s true that PSG has been more restrained lately,” he noted. “But it’s been a decade of partying. And now that it’s returning to normal, he’s going to manage that? No, it’s not possible.”
The comments allude to PSG’s aggressive transfer strategy over the past decade, including record-breaking signings and high wage structures that reshaped the European market. For critics like Tebas, those spending patterns distorted competition and inflated transfer fees across the continent.
The State Ownership Debate
At the core of Tebas’ criticism is his opposition to what he sees as state-backed financial models in football. PSG is owned by Qatar Sports Investments, and Tebas has repeatedly argued that such ownership structures allow clubs to inject capital beyond what their organic revenues would normally permit.
He continues to advocate for a self-sustaining model in which clubs operate strictly within the financial limits of the revenue they generate—ticket sales, broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and commercial activities.
According to Tebas, external injections of capital—especially those tied to nation-states—risk undermining competitive integrity.
Governance and Influence at UEFA
Another key issue raised was the influence PSG and Al-Khelaïfi hold within UEFA’s institutional framework. Al-Khelaïfi serves in prominent roles within European football administration, which, in Tebas’ view, raises governance concerns.
The La Liga chief suggested that those who have benefited from past financial flexibility should not be in positions that shape or enforce the very regulations meant to control spending.
For Tebas, the matter is about structural integrity, not just rivalry. He insists that European football must be governed transparently, without conflicts of interest.
A Broader Power Struggle in European Football
This latest criticism is not an isolated outburst but part of a broader ideological battle over the future of European football. Tebas has consistently clashed with clubs he believes operate outside sustainable financial norms, particularly in France and England.
His stance reflects a wider debate: Should football welcome massive external investment as a driver of growth, or should it enforce stricter self-sustainability to protect long-term stability?
While some argue that global investment elevates leagues and increases competitiveness, others believe it creates financial imbalances that traditional clubs cannot match.
What Happens Next?
UEFA has recently introduced revised financial sustainability regulations intended to replace and strengthen previous FFP rules. Whether those measures will satisfy critics like Tebas remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that the debate over financial governance in European football is far from over. As long as state-backed ownership models remain part of the game, figures like Tebas are unlikely to stay silent.
For now, his remarks have once again placed PSG and Al-Khelaïfi at the center of a heated conversation—one that goes beyond transfers and trophies, touching the very structure of modern football economics.