Javier Tebas inaugurates the LFP head office in Barcelona

There was an historic event on Tuesday for La Liga as the Liga de Fútbol Profesional’s new office was officially opened in Barcelona. Josep Maria Bartomeu, the FC Barcelona president, and Joan Collet, his RCD Espanyol counterpart, attended the ceremony along with representatives from Girona FC, CE Sabadell FC and UE Llagostera, as well as the vice-president of the Catalan Football Federation, Joan Soteras.

Following a minute’s silence to commemorate the victims of the airline disaster in the Alps, Javier Tebas addressed the invitees at the inauguration. "We have rectified one of the biggest flaws in the history of La Liga. We have been somewhat detached from the large and small Catalan clubs, as well as the media outlets from this region", he stated. In Catalan the LFP president asked for forgiveness for the years the federation had not been present: "We have been with you for a long time, we apologise for not having come earlier".

Josep Maria Bartomeu, the FC Barcelona president, shared that view and congratulated La Liga for taking this initiative. "This is an historic event because there are important teams in Catalonia that help to make Spanish football even greater". Joan Collet, the RCD Espanyol president, expressed his gratitude for the opening of this new office. "This means we are expanding and that work is being done to improve the image of Spanish football even more", said Collet.