Soccer

LaLiga clubs approve CVC deal after opt-out concession

Real Madrid and Barcelona both have the option not to join the deal should they wish

File photo of the Camp Nou. Photo: Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Thu Aug 12 2021 - 16:53

Spanish clubs on Thursday approved private equity firm CVC’s proposed investment despite votes against from Real Madrid and Barcelona, on the condition that individual clubs can opt out of the deal, LaLiga’s president said.

Facing fierce opposition from the country’s two leading clubs to the plan that initially targeted €2.7 billion in investment, CVC modified its original proposal shortly before the vote, allowing clubs in LaLiga to take part on a voluntary basis.

If Real Madrid, Barca and Athletic Bilbao choose not to join the deal, the investment is likely to total between €2.1 billion and €2.2 billio, LaLiga’s Javier Tebas told a news conference.

Despite the approval by 38 clubs out of LaLiga’s 42, the deal still faces legal risks.

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CVC sought to pour money into LaLiga, which covers Spain’s top two soccer divisions, in exchange for nearly 11 per cent of its revenue from television rights over 50 years.

The league has argued the deal, called “Boost LaLiga”, would strengthen clubs and give them funds to spend on new infrastructure and modernisation projects, as well as increasing how much they can spend on players’ salaries.

Real Madrid has said it is planning to launch civil and criminal lawsuits against LaLiga’s Tebas and CVC Capital’s chief Javier de Jaime Guijarro over the planned deal.