Skip to content

Spanish football president says Madrid's version of De Gea transfer saga closer to the truth

Susana Vera / Reuters

In the battle between Manchester United and Real Madrid over Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea, there's only one question being asked: Who was right?

The two teams issued conflicting reports after De Gea's deal fell apart on transfer deadline day, pointing fingers at each other over who was responsible.

But Spanish Professional Football League (LFP) president Javier Tebas says Real Madrid's version of events in closer to the truth.

"I am a lawyer and I know that in these situations there are two, three, or four versions of events," Tebas told AS on Wednesday. "As far as La Liga is concerned it is a handicap that De Gea is not here.

"I would have liked to see him play in La Liga because he is a Spanish goalkeeper and an excellent one but due to the circumstances that unfolded it wasn't to be. What happened, as far as I know, is closest to the version given by Real Madrid."

Related: Real Madrid pins blame on Manchester United for botching David De Gea transfer

Tebas went on to say that there was nothing he could do to push the move forward after the deadline passed, and also revealed that Madrid did not even attempt to circumvent that hard stop, either.

"As far as the LFP is concerned there is no David De Gea case because the player has not been registered for the competition and the necessary documentation was not presented in the stipulated time," Tebas explained.

"I had a conversation with Real Madrid. They rang me on Monday night. They gave me their explanations but in the knowledge that the deadline had been missed. They know how it works. I didn't feel any pressure. Madrid explained their situation after midnight.

"I understood their position and that of the player but there was nothing I could do. They didn't call to ask for any kind of special treatment because Madrid understand the rules."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox