Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, is no stranger to controversy. Throughout his career, he has been pointed out on several occasions for his open animosity toward FC Barcelona, a sentiment that has been publicly evidenced in various ways.
This animosity, coupled with his controversial decisions, has fueled the feeling that Tebas is not impartial in his management, especially when it comes to the interests of the Catalan club. From aggressive statements to questionable sanctions, Tebas's figure has always been in the eye of the storm, and this time is no different.
The Arrival of VAR
When VAR was introduced in LaLiga, many hoped that doubts about refereeing decisions would end. Although the system has meant a significant improvement in decision-making, errors continue to occur.
Refereeing decisions, even with VAR, have been highly debated and have left fans dissatisfied.
Despite the technology, criticisms persist of a system that often seems not as infallible as promised. For this reason, many soccer fans are clamoring for Tebas's departure and the appointment of a new president who can bring true improvement to the competition.
The Controversy with the Coach of the Month Award
This month, LaLiga has once again been the scene of a new controversy. The Coach of the Month award for March has sparked a wave of outrage.
Three coaches were candidates: Hansi Flick, from FC Barcelona; Claudio Giráldez, from Celta de Vigo; and Manuel Pellegrini, from Real Betis. While the Chilean coach, Pellegrini, achieved recognition thanks to his victories, the real controversy lies in the handling of the votes.
Vote Manipulation: Hansi Flick, the True Winner
The popular vote, which represented the opinion of the fans, clearly favored Hansi Flick, who accumulated an impressive 70.1% of the votes. With 16,120 votes in his favor, he positioned himself as the great favorite. In second place, Manuel Pellegrini obtained 4,805 votes (20.9%), and in third place, Claudio Giráldez received 2,064 votes (9%).
However, what caused surprise was that despite this overwhelming popular support, the vote was disregarded. Finally, Pellegrini was chosen as Coach of the Month, even though the fans' support clearly pointed toward Flick.
This decision has caused great indignation among soccer fans, who do not understand how such a strong popular vote can be ignored without a clear justification. Many speak of manipulation of the results to favor other interests. Although the incident may not have great repercussions, it sets a worrying precedent about how awards are managed in the league.