LaLiga presented a protocol against discrimination, and all the clubs said yes, all except one, Real Madrid, which took it to court, leaving everyone stunned.
On 26 March, LaLiga presented the first protocol to prevent and address incidents of discrimination, violence, or abuse in professional football stadiums. The announcement underscored the intention to reinforce the commitment “to safety and well-being in our championship”.
According to Javier Tebas, head of the Spanish clubs’ association, and was backed by Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska, who fully endorsed the initiative and added that “the State Commission Against Violence in Sport is working on reforming the law against violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport, in force since 2007, to tighten the crackdown on ultra groups and security around stadiums.”
Acting as host for the announcement of this protocol, held at the Metropolitano stadium, was Enrique Cerezo, who agreed that “football must take place in an environment of coexistence, tolerance and safety” and that LaLiga’s initiative reinforces the message that “there is no room for harassment or violence.”
Training and anticipation are key so that protocols do not remain on paper but truly work,” added the Atletico Madrid president, applauding an initiative that also has the explicit support of the General Directorate of the Police.
However, Real Madrid has filed a lawsuit “requesting the annulment of the agreement of LaLiga’s Delegated Commission of 20 February 2026, which approved this ‘guide-protocol’ against discrimination, violence and harassment in professional football.” The white club also requests urgent precautionary measures, although these have been dismissed by the judge, who wants to hear LaLiga’s side.
This move by the club chaired by Florentino Perez has astonished other clubs, who do not understand why Madrid is once again going in the opposite direction to the rest, even on such a sensitive issue. They also believe that this incomprehensible action once again negatively affects Real Madrid’s reputation.
The argument put forward by Real Madrid is that this protocol “must be made available to clubs for voluntary signing, and LaLiga would have transformed that into a coercive system that imposes implementation on clubs.” This lawsuit is even more shocking given that Madrid already has its own protocol, as the white club itself states in the lawsuit, which leaves this matter outside all operational logic.
This initiative, led by LaLiga, is serving as a model for other national sports organizations, such as the Asobal handball league, which is studying how to replicate it in its competition.
The institutions involved in this sensitive matter (including the media themselves) must now await the judge’s decision regarding this bizarre and isolated attempt by Real Madrid to paralyze a measure that was agreed upon and backed by all. By all except one.
Join The Conversation
Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers.
Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favorite teams and news!