The president of the Spanish Professional Football League (LFP) has backed Real Madrid in their war of words with Manchester United, claiming their version of the David de Gea collapse is closer to the truth.
Both sides have been mired in a war of words since a £29 million deal for Madrid to sign the Spain international collapsed on Monday when the club failed to register De Gea with the LFP before the transfer deadline.
The following day the La Liga runners-up released a statement in which they claimed to have “done everything necessary” to complete the deal, suggesting United had taken too long completing important paperwork.
United hit back on Wednesday, saying they had acted “appropriately and efficiently” in completing the paperwork, however Javier Tebas, the head of the LFP, claimed that Madrid’s story was nearer to the truth.
"I am a lawyer and I know that in these situations there are two, three or four versions of events," he told AS. "As far as La Liga is concerned it is a handicap that De Gea is not here."
"I would have liked to see him play in La Liga because he is a Spanish goalkeeper and an excellent one but due to the circumstances that unfolded it wasn't to be."
"What happened, as far as I know, is closest to the version given by Real Madrid."
Madrid were expected to try to complete the De Gea deal after the deadline, however Tebas confirmed that the club understood they would not be able to break the rules.
The president added: "As far as the LFP is concerned there is no David De Gea case because the player has not been registered for the competition and the necessary documentation was not presented in the stipulated time."
"I had a conversation with Real Madrid, they rang me on Monday night. They gave me their explanations but in the knowledge that the deadline had been missed. They know how it works."
"I didn't feel any pressure. Madrid explained their situation after midnight. I understood their position and that of the player but there was nothing I could do."
"They didn't call to ask for any kind of special treatment because Madrid understand the rules."