La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused the Premier League of destabilising European football by driving up players’ salaries and transfer fees, warning that unchecked spending could have destructive consequences for the global market.
This summer’s transfer window saw record-breaking numbers, with FIFA reporting nearly 12,000 international transfers worth a combined $9.7 billion, a 50% increase from the previous year.
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Premier League clubs alone accounted for $3.19 billion, more than the combined spending of Spain ($666m), Italy ($950m), France ($730m), and Germany ($980m).
Liverpool’s acquisitions of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, as well as Manchester United’s signing of Benjamin Sesko, highlighted the Premier League’s dominance in the market.
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“The rules need to be made much more uniform because they’re different,” Tebas said.
“What’s allowed in the Premier League isn’t allowed in Spain, and UEFA should take an interventionist stance. We’ve had meetings with UEFA, and many Premier League teams themselves want this addressed.”
Tebas echoed Robert Lewandowski’s criticism of English clubs overpaying for unproven talent.
“I think I agree with Lewandowski – they pay a lot for players that have played six games, that haven’t done anything. If you look at the Ballon d’Ors, 12 of the last 15 have come from La Liga.”
The La Liga boss, however, insisted the Spanish league continues to hold its own.
“It doesn’t worry us. It inflates the market, no doubt, but over the years, La Liga has been doing just as well as the Premier League in Europe, if not better. Of course, there will be the odd year that is the exception.”
