Real Madrid want La Liga to cut funding for the women's league as the Spanish champions say clubs are paying 'too much'.
According to Relevo, Real Madrid, represented by general manager José Angel Sanchez, argued for a reduction in Liga F funding at a recent Club Assembly meeting. La Liga's contribution to Liga F is part of a five-year financial package worth €40 million aimed at supporting the women's league. Now in its third year, the funding structure started with annual contributions of €6 million, which later increased to €8 million and is expected to reach €10 million over the last two years.
The funds come from the overall revenues of La Liga, which encompasses 42 clubs in the Primera and Segunda divisions. However, only 13 of these clubs are represented in Liga F. Additionally, Liga F has faced its share of financial hurdles, including problems with former sponsor Fi Network, which failed to fulfill its obligations payment. The league currently relies on other sources of revenue, such as a broadcast deal with DAZN and 20 million euros per year from the Spanish Ministry of Sports (CSD). In addition, €19.5 million is allocated to projects aimed at promoting the development of women's football over the five-year period.
Madrid representative reportedly told La Liga president Javier Tebas during meeting : “It’s too much. It must be reduced.”
Real Madrid's criticism of Liga F funding has reignited scrutiny of the club's historic approach to women's football. In 2019, the club established its women's team by acquiring CD Tacon, a pre-existing women's football club in Madrid, and renaming it Real Madrid Femenino. The move came relatively late compared to other major European clubs, such as Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, who had already invested heavily in their women's teams. The criticism is compounded by the fact that Real Madrid made more than a billion euros in revenue last season, making its call for budget cuts incompatible with its financial capabilities.
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