The National Sports Council (CSD) has referred La Liga chief Javier Tebas to Spain’s sports tribunal after his comparison of Real Madrid’s communication strategy to Nazi propaganda.

The CSD has asked the tribunal to assess whether the remarks may have violated rules protecting sporting dignity and decorum.

Tebas made the comments on Oct 16 on social media and in response Real released a statement asking for the 64-year-old’s immediate resignation.

He said he was not comparing the ideology of Real or their fan base with those of the Nazi Party but merely the club’s propaganda techniques. On Oct 22, the CSD said it had raised the issue with the sports tribunal.

The CSD asked the sports tribunal to assess whether Tebas’ statements constituted a “potential violation of Article 76.4.b of Law 10/1990 on Sport, which classifies ‘notorious and public acts that infringe upon sporting dignity or decorum’ as serious infractions”.

Sanctions for such infractions include warnings, fines or potential suspension.

Tebas responded on social media shortly after the CSD made its referral public, again making the distinction between ideology and propaganda techniques in his Oct 16 comparison.

He also said the CSD could use Real’s questioning of La Liga’s integrity as grounds for a similar referral.

“Defending the competition also requires responding to those who constantly discredit it,” wrote Tebas. “It’s part of my responsibility. And I’m going to keep exercising it.”

Reuters has asked Real Madrid for comment. REUTERS