Tebas: "I can show, with figures, how PSG cheated FFP"

It's not the first time that Javier Tebas has taken a potshot at PSG. "State-backed clubs are as dangerous for football's ecosystem as the Super League. We were critical of the Super League because it destroys European football and we are equally as critical of PSG," he wrote on his Twitter account shortly after the last transfer window closed. LaLiga's presdient has been attending the Sportel event in Monaco and gave an interview to L'Équipe, in which he attacked PSG once again: "I criticise PSG because they don't generate the money needed to build the squad they have," he argued.

Is LaLiga more difficult to sell now that Messi, Neymar and Cristiano have left? "All of those players have gone but we have seen an increase of 13 to 14% in our international rights for the next four seasons. That's the reality, with or without Messi. It's good to have those players,  but our strategy doesn't depend on them. We knew that one day they would leave, for age or for another reason. The value of a tournament's rights doesn't depend on the names of those taking part in it. The United States have just bought our rights for the next eight years. Who know which players will be playing in LaLiga five years from now? There are always great players. For me, Benzema is the best No.9 in Europe. There is no reason whatsoever to be pessimistic".

Criticism of PSG: "I criticise PSG because they don't generate the money required to have the squad they have got. That distorts competition in the economy of European football. It doesn't come from sponsorship. How can you explain that PSG have a squad which cost almost 600 million euros? If a team wins Ligue 1, they won't receive more than 45 million euros in prize money... It's impossible. I invited PSG's president (Nasser al-Khelaïfi) and the French league president (Vincent Labrune) to look at the figures which we have and where there are irregularities. They didn't reply. They were very quick to criticise me, but they didn't answer my invitation".

PSG's accounts in doubt: "I can show, in numbers to back it up, how they have got around the Financial Fair Play rules. Before they signed Messi, PSG had 40% more income from sponsorship than Manchester United... Market values exist... I couldn't care less if Messi and Neymar stay at PSG. But all of this is damaging for European football. I am not the only one saying so. PSG dodged a fine on a technicality, not because of the sovereign fund".

Are you envious that Qatar don't invest in Spain? "I say the same thing about Almería, who belong to Saudi Arabia. State-backed clubs who invest without limits are destabilizing football".

And don't clubs who have amassed huge debts like Barça harm football too? "All of those who have come in (Barça's new directors) reject the shit which those who came before them left. We have their figures, Barça was not practically dead, otherwise they would not have been able to ask for loans of 500 million euros. I am more concerned about the institutional crisis at Barça than their economic situation".

Super League: "LaLiga supports UEFA 100%. We vehemently oppose that project. I haven't heard presidents from other league speak out as much as I have about the issue. The Super League will never happen. But I am not able to fine Madrid or Barça because it's not my competition".

PSG have rejected it: "I personally thanked Nasser al-Khelaïfi for their stance on the Super League. And I can thank him publicly. But that is not an amnesty giving him free rein to do what he likes with Financial Fair Play".

World Cup every two years: "Infantino needed 2,400 million euros for his Club World Cup. He couldn't find it through the markets, and managed to find 700 million. That's why, to be able to finance that project, the idea of having the World Cup every two years was raised. They also want to create a Club World Cup every two years in January. That's the way it is. And sell the whole package together over 25 years (...). FIFA can say there will be a World Cup every week if they want to, but I can assure you that the leagues won;t allow it to happen".