The ongoing spat between Tebas and Rubiales is excruciating
The latest episode in the ongoing wrangle between LaLiga's Javier Tebas and Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales centred on both individuals calling a meeting for Spain's 2B and Tercera division sides on the same day at the same time. They continue to make things complex for those around them and use any means (Twitter, the press and even publicity events) as platforms for their spat. Monday night games, ‘naming’ rights, women's football, the Miami game, the new Super Cup format, TV rights, who is the producer for VAR, a European super league, player unions...have all provided a source of tension and friction for both gentlemen.
Divorce
It really has reached a point where the bickering is intolerable and I'd like them to see things as others do. Both men are creating problems for those who work in the game, all doing their bit to move things forward but finding themselves shackled by impediments generated by both presidents. Both executives are extremely capable in their own rights, Tebas has been instrumental in forging a new era for Spanish football and Rubiales in his short time as head of the FA, has visibly boosted it's poor public profile and has also been key to player's union AFE growing in stature. Where both individuals fall down dramatically is an inability to work together in their respective organisations with observers stating that they behave like a divorced couple arguing about absolutely everything...who keeps the cat, the broken CD player... everything.
Talk
Tebas was adept in filling in the gaps in areas that previous FA chief Villar left abandoned and now Rubiales wants to recover these functions, or at least try and look at them in a different way which is totally logical. Javier Tebas, on the other hand has lost all respect for the Federation as an institution and has always had it in for Rubiales since his time with AFE, deeply aggrieved about not being consulted on key legal matters some years back during a dispute. Both institutions are buoyant financially and one would hope that it shouldn't be that difficult to find some common ground without having to to get the Minister for sport María José Rienda to officiate the tiffs. Dialogue is the key to any deadlock but sadly this seems something currently beyond Tebas and Rubiales who seem happy to continue their school-yard bickering.