LFP slams Tebas' critique of PSG, Neymar

The French Professional Football League (LFP) has criticised LaLiga president Javier Tebas for his outspoken comments on Neymar's world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG stunned the footballing world by paying Barcelona €222million for the Brazil superstar last month and their deadline-day move for Monaco teenager Kylian Mbappe – initially on loan before a €180m transfer – preceded UEFA confirming it will assess the club's compliance with Financial Fair Play rules.

Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, Tebas said PSG were "laughing at the system" and that Neymar had "peed from the diving board" into the swimming pool – the latter aquatic facility representing Spanish football in an unusually coarse metaphor.

The LFP responded with a statement on Wednesday to make clear its unhappiness with Tebas' remarks, along with the general chorus of disapproval from other European clubs.

"The Ligue de Football Professionnel strongly condemns the insulting remarks made by the president of LaLiga, Mr Javier Tebas, concerning Paris Saint-Germain," the statement read.

"These unworthy remarks do not live up to an institution as respectable and efficient as LaLiga. 

"The LFP recalls that only UEFA is empowered to rule on compliance with the rules of Financial Fair Play by PSG. 

"The Bureau of the LFP has reaffirmed its support for Paris Saint-Germain in the face of the campaign of denigration that has been going on for several weeks by some major European clubs."

The LFP added that it welcomed PSG's ambitious moves in the transfer market as they served to make Ligue 1 a more attractive competition overall.

"At the beginning of the season, the LFP welcomes the attractiveness of Ligue 1. The very active market of the French clubs, and especially that of PSG, helps to improve the show of Ligue 1. 

"Thanks to these investments, Ligue 1 had a very good start, marked by an increase in the number of goals, as well as a clear increase in audiences and affluences."

Unai Emery's PSG have won their first four games in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 14 goals in the process. They travel to Metz on Friday and begin their Champions League campaign at Celtic next week.

Latest in
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed
Alan Shearer celebrates one of his five goals for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999.
'My Premier League record won't last forever. It will go one day and when it does go, and if it's to Harry, he knows I'd be the first to congratulate him and shake his hand': Alan Shearer magnanimous when discussing biggest threat to goalscoring record
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Latest in News
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed
Alan Shearer celebrates one of his five goals for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999.
'My Premier League record won't last forever. It will go one day and when it does go, and if it's to Harry, he knows I'd be the first to congratulate him and shake his hand': Alan Shearer magnanimous when discussing biggest threat to goalscoring record
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason