The football family showed its satisfaction after the Royal Decree regarding the sale of television rights was approved

The clubs and SAD (PLCs) that form La Liga expressed their satisfaction this weekend over the passing of the Real Decree regarding the sale of television rights in Spanish football.

"The Royal Decree means, above all, stability for football," said Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay. "It will help the league to grow, because the share of revenue will be more transparent." Club Atlético de Madrid president Enrique Cerezo also said the move was "a very positive step" because the approval of the Decree "will convert La Liga into a more competitive league, because clubs will be able to invest in players, sporting infrastructure and the academy".

The effort that the league made, together with the Spanish Government and the Department for Sport (CSD) to make the new collected rights agreement a reality was also appreciated by Spanish clubs. "We feel a lot of satisfaction, it is a historic day for Spanish football," said Francisco Catalán, the president of Levante UD. Jordi Cardoner, the vice-president of Social Affairs of FC Barcelona added: "Football wins with this Royal Decree, and, fundamentally, so does La Liga." 

Carlos González González, president of Córdoba CF, recognised that "the effort made by clubs such as Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona to pass this Decree has been huge". He added that the Decree "will help many clubs get their finances in order", and he sent a message to the football family, warning: "I hope we don’t make the same mistake again of piling the clubs with debt." José Castro, the president of Sevilla FC, said Spanish football "needed this new Royal Decree to regulate the share of television rights and create a more balanced state of affairs".

The president of RCD Espanyol, Joan Collet explained the significance of the Decree on an international level. "We've fought for many years for this rule to come to fruition and it means that the best league in the world now has the same distribution of revenue as the other great European leagues." Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano de Madrid president called the approval of the law "important", but explained "this first step is just the start. The second challenge is to launch a full-frontal attack on piracy". 

Clubs in the Liga Adelante also showed their appreciation for the approval for the Royal Decree, such as Real Valladolid CF, whose president Carlos Suárez hailed the opening of a new chapter in Spanish football. “We've been born again. Nothing will be the same in the Liga again. This is the first step of a very difficult challenge, but also a compelling one."  

Alfredo García Amado, director general of Real Sporting, alluded to the effort made by La Liga and its president Javier Tebas, for creating the new legislation. "It's a historic feat that the group lead by Tebas has been fighting for for 15 years," he said. "This will ensure the playing field is much more competitive and, more importantly, will ensure clubs are more economically viable." 

Juan Carlos Ollero, president of Real Betis, said that the measure would not just benefit clubs in La Liga, but also supporters, television viewers and all the footballing family. "The Royal Decree will strengthen La Liga on an international level; it will mean more money for every club and, above all, a more fairer share. What's more, the competition will be much stronger and the clubs as well as the fans will profit."