Javier Tebas has told Real Madrid, in public and without much diplomacy, that the idea of a refereeing conspiracy against them belongs in another galaxy. The La Liga president was responding to a Spanish newspaper article pushing that theory, and Real have fired back with a statement calling his behaviour intolerable.
The row traces back to last week's Madrid derby, which Atletico won 2-1. Jose Mourinho arrived at the post-match news conference with printed screenshots and argued that Atletico should have had two players sent off in the first half.
What Tebas actually said
"Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy," Tebas wrote on social media.
"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."
The second half of that is the sharper part. Tebas is not only rejecting the conspiracy, he is suggesting Real are using it to avoid talking about their form.
Real's response was not subtle either
The club issued a statement saying it was "utterly surprising that the president of La Liga dedicates his time and personal platforms to constantly trying to publicly discredit Real Madrid".
"By doing so, he continues to damage the image of our competition and Spanish football worldwide," it read. Real called his comments particularly serious and incomprehensible, and argued that Spanish football needs a leader with a fundamental duty of neutrality.
"The president of La Liga is not the owner of the competition but a manager serving the clubs that comprise it and entrust him with its direction. The clubs need someone who serves this mission with honesty."
Mourinho's printouts and the table behind it all
"We can skip the press conference because the story of the match is right here," Mourinho said at the derby, holding up his images. "Those were two clear red cards. Given the difficulties we faced afterwards playing 11 against 10, we can only imagine what 50 minutes of 11 against nine would have been like."
Real did finish that game with ten men themselves after Dean Huijsen was sent off. Atletico have already hit back at Mourinho's complaints separately.
Underneath the noise sits the standings, and they explain the temperature. Real are fourth, six points behind Barcelona, who have won all seven of their league games and sit on 21 points. Tebas's jab about shortcomings that are plain to see is aimed squarely at that gap.
None of this is new ground between these two. Tebas clashed with Real and president Florentino Perez over the European Super League plan in 2021, and in 2025 he said the club had "lost their head" after they sent a formal complaint about officiating to the Spanish FA.
The dispute: La Liga president Javier Tebas dismissed claims of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid as "living in another galaxy". Real responded with a statement calling his conduct intolerable and questioning his neutrality. The row follows Real's 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid, after which Jose Mourinho produced printed screenshots arguing for two Atletico red cards. Real defender Dean Huijsen was sent off in that match. Real are fourth in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona, who have 21 points from seven wins. Tebas and Real previously clashed over the 2021 Super League proposal and a 2025 complaint to the Spanish FA.
0 Comments