La Liga president Javier Tebas has criticised Real Madrid over claims of a refereeing conspiracy following the club’s 2-1 derby defeat by Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho reignited the refereeing debate after Sunday’s loss by taking two printed screenshots of tackles by Atletico players that he believed warranted red cards to his post-match press conference.
Tebas responded on social media to an article supportive of Real Madrid, rejecting suggestions that referees were deliberately working against the Spanish giants.
“Here they go again, the mouthpieces and the regime’s television, building the same old narrative — the permanent conspiracy,” Tebas said.
The La Liga president, who has frequently clashed with Real Madrid and its president Florentino Perez, also challenged the argument that refereeing decisions could be influenced by the commercial importance of particular clubs.
“This article goes further — it claims that referees harm ‘The business that feeds them’,” he said.
“What exactly is it asking for? Refereeing based on revenue, viewership, or the badge? What a way to understand equality in the competition.”
Tebas acknowledged Real Madrid’s importance to La Liga but rejected suggestions that the competition would have little value without the club.
“Real Madrid are crucial to La Liga. But claiming that ‘La Liga is worth nothing’ without them reveals the disdain for the other clubs, their fans, and their history. The competition belongs to no one,” he said.
Real Madrid have made a difficult start to the season and are already six points behind defending champions and early leaders Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
Tebas also dismissed claims that referees had been instructed to act against Real Madrid, arguing that the narrative was being used to explain the team’s early struggles.
“Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy,” he said.
“That narrative serves as an excuse to cover up other shortcomings that are plain to see in these first matches of the season.”
“It’s more comfortable to point to a conspiracy than to explain what’s happening on the pitch.”
Mourinho returned to the Santiago Bernabéu for a second spell in charge during the close season, with the task of ending Real Madrid’s two-year wait for a major trophy.
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