Javier Tebas resigns! Outspoken La Liga president steps down from role amid feud with Barcelona - but not all is as it seems

The 61-year-old tendered his resignation to vice-presidents Quico Catalan and Miguel Angel Gil Marin on Wednesday. Catalan and Marin have been tasked with triggering new elections and forming a new electoral commission that will comprise three La Liga clubs and two Segunda clubs. It is understood that Tebas' resignation is a routine procedure ahead of the elections as his current term is set to expire in a month's time.

The election process, which is expected to last a month, was expedited to prevent overlapping with the Royal Spanish Football Federation elections which are set for early 2024. Tebas faces little competition and enjoys broad support among club presidents both in La Liga and the Segunda Division. He had been elected unopposed in 2013 and 2019 and it is believed that he will return to power for his third consecutive term ahead of 2024 despite a long-running feud with Barcelona and club president Joan Laporta.

Tebas announced his resignation and wrote on X: "A few minutes ago I presented my resignation as president of @LaLiga prior to the end of my term, which will end on December 23. A new electoral process will open in which I will present myself, so I will request the endorsement and trust of the clubs to take on the challenges at hand."

The new electoral commission will set the floor for fresh elections as soon as possible to conclude the entire process before 2024. Tebas happens to be the frontrunner to win the election which will see him at the helm of La Liga for another four years.