La Liga president Javier Tebas has rejected suggestions of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid following the club’s 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby.
The defeat has renewed debate over officiating, with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho pointing to two tackles by Atletico players that he believed warranted red cards during his post-match press conference.
Tebas responded on social media to an article supporting Real Madrid and criticised what he described as a recurring narrative that referees are deliberately working against the Spanish giants.
The La Liga president questioned whether the competition should be influenced by a club’s financial importance, television audience or reputation, arguing that refereeing decisions should be applied equally across the league.
“Real Madrid are crucial to La Liga,” Tebas said, while rejecting the suggestion that the competition would have little value without the club.
He also dismissed claims that referees are being instructed to act against Real Madrid, arguing that such accusations shift attention away from the team’s performances on the pitch.
According to Tebas, attributing Real Madrid’s difficulties to refereeing decisions is easier than addressing problems evident in the team’s performances during the opening matches of the season.
Real Madrid have made a difficult start to the campaign and are already six points behind defending champions and early leaders Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
The latest dispute adds to the long-running tension between Tebas and Real Madrid, with the league president and club president Florentino Perez having frequently clashed over issues affecting Spanish football.
Mourinho returned to the Santiago Bernabéu for a second spell during the summer, taking charge with the task of helping Real Madrid end a two-year wait for a major trophy.
The club will now face continued scrutiny over its performances and refereeing concerns as the season progresses.
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