Real Madrid threatens legal action after journalist compares club TV channel to ETA-linked newspaper

Real Madrid threatened unspecified action against journalist Juanma Castaño on Tuesday after the Cope broadcaster compared the club’s official television channel to the newspaper Gara in an opinion column for ABC. The club’s statement stopped short of confirming a legal filing but said it reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems appropriate.

The response came two days after the Madrid derby, and Real Madrid was careful to frame its objection around the specific wording of Castaño’s column rather than his broader criticism of the club. The statement described the comparison as deplorable and an attack on the reputation of its official broadcaster, adding that it crosses all limits.

Central to the club’s anger is the history associated with Gara. Real Madrid’s statement tied the newspaper to the ETA terrorist organisation, which is why the club treated the comparison as something far beyond a routine media disagreement rather than a point of editorial debate.

The row has a concrete footballing backdrop. Real Madrid have continued to dispute several refereeing decisions from their derby against Atlético Madrid, including two first-half incidents they believe should have resulted in dismissals for Atlético players. Real Madrid TV has kept that debate running through its coverage of refereeing decisions, a pattern the club has followed regularly in recent seasons — and one that prompted Castaño’s original column.

In its statement, the club defended Real Madrid TV’s right to inform and to represent the interests of the club, its members and its fans, describing the channel as the official outlet of an institution with 124 years of history.

What form any further action might take remains unclear. Real Madrid has not specified whether this becomes a formal legal dispute or is resolved through public pressure alone, leaving the situation open as of Tuesday evening.