La Liga President Javier Tebas receives $300,000 funding from an Iranian company banned in the US: Reports
La Liga president Javier Tebas, known for his 'no-nonsense' attitude and strictness towards fair-play policies has recently been accused of receiving $300,000 from an Iranian company.
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La Liga president Javier Tebas, known for his ‘no-nonsense’ attitude and strictness towards fair-play policies has recently been accused of receiving money from an Iranian company. The League led by Javier Tebas collected €380,000 from MTN Irancell, an Iranian majority capital company, through a bank account in Dubai.
Ok Diario reports that to avoid economic sanctions on the Iranian regime by the United States, the League used a subsidiary based in Dubai, named “National League of Professional Soccer FZE”, in order to pocket money of a company that is in the crosshairs of the United States Treasury Department and NATO for its links with the ayatollahs.
The organization led by Javier Tebas signed a sponsorship contract from 2017 to 2020 with the technological firm Iranian MTN Irancell worth 770,000 euros. Said contract grew exponentially from its initial sum of 130,000 euros to 380,000 euros, which were charged through a company based in the United Arab Emirates and owned by Tebas.
The United States Department of the Treasury has been investigating the Irancell movements for years. It suspects that it is one of the companies used by the Iranian State to circumvent the economic blockade of the USA. The North American administration seeks thus preventing organizations from using their money for dark purposes such as the purchase of weapons or future terrorist attacks in the West.
Related: Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde can face enquiry in the Barcelona-Negreira scandal
Why is the timing crucially important for Javier Tebas?
Tebas has previously stated that he feels “ashamed“ by “the worst reputational crisis” he can remember in Spanish football as Barcelona face corruption charges for payments made to the former vice president of the refereeing committee.
Prosecutors last week alleged Barca had sought favorable treatment from match officials as part of an agreement which saw them pay Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira around €7 million between 2001 and 2018. The case has created growing tension across Spain, with supporters around the country protesting at games over the weekend and throwing fake bank notes onto pitches.
“I feel ashamed that we still don’t have a convincing explanation from them,” Tebas told Movistar on Monday. “In fact, we have no explanation whatsoever from Barcelona and this is going to take time to resolve.
So the fact he himself is being accused of such irregularities at such a time vehemently contradicts and harms his own goodwill that he has amongst his supporters.
Tebas recently slammed FC Barcelona over their ongoing corruption case
Javier Tebas has reiterated his stance on the El Caso Negreira against Barcelona. The case involves claims surrounding Barcelona’s rumoured relationship with the former Vice President of the Referee’s Committee Enriquez Negreira.
The Catalan giants are accused of making illegal payments to Negreira, in his former role, as part of an attempt to influence referees to make favourable decisions for Barcelona, under the guidance of Negreira. Barcelona were charged with paying Negreira and his company Dasnil 95, an estimated £7.4m between 2001 and 2018, which club president Joan Laporta has fiercely denied.
“I don’t remember a time with such a reputational crisis, not only for Barcelona, but also for football. We have to act, go all the way, and if there are guilty parties, whoever it is, take responsibility.” Tebas was quoted saying.
“If there are no guilty parties, then all the better for everyone. I am ashamed we still don’t have a convincing explanation. We don’t have an explanation from Barcelona, and a few days have already passed.” Tebas explained.
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Arpan Ghosh
(1403 Articles Published)