Real Madrid News
La Liga president decides to exclude Real Madrid, Barcelona from TV rights meetings
According to Spanish publication Voz Populi, La Liga president Javier Tebas has decided to exclude Real Madrid and Barcelona from any future meetings about the league’s TV broadcast rights and also stripped their right to vote.
The reason for this drastic action from the La Liga supremo is because of the two clubs’ continued role in the European Super League project.
Tebas has taken the decision with the backing of other clubs and La Liga’s compliance department as well as the consultancy firm KPMG and a Spanish Law Firm, Uria Menendez.
According to KPMG’s studies, Real Madrid and Barcelona’s involvement in the Super League would seriously harm the TV rights value of La Liga clubs that are not participating in the breakaway competition.
The report states that the broadcast rights would be devalued by 10% domestically and 25% internationally, which would be a major blow to La Liga’s operating finances.
Despite this development, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are pressing ahead with their plans for the European Super League project.
In fact, earlier today, the ESL announced the new framework for the competition, revealing that the tournament is being planned as a multi-division competition with 60-80 teams involved and each club playing 14 games per season at least.
The three clubs are understood to have reached out to over 50 other teams regarding participation in the rogue tournament.
Meanwhile, with regard to their ban on voting on La Liga’s television rights, Real Madrid and Barcelona have already filed a lawsuit against Tebas and La Liga for violating their fundamental right of association.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
