La Liga president Javier Tebas strongly rejected claims of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid following the club’s 2-1 loss to Atlético Madrid in a recent Madrid derby. The remarks come after Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho presented screenshots during his post-match press conference, which he said showed red-card offenses by Atlético players that went unpunished.
Tebas responded sharply on social media and in public statements, dismissing the conspiracy allegations as unfounded and damaging to the integrity of the league. He criticized what he described as repetitive narratives promoted by outlets supportive of Real Madrid, accusing them of portraying a bias against the club. Tebas emphasized that referees are not influenced by commercial interests or club affiliations, stating such insinuations undermine the principle of competitive equality in La Liga.
“Here they go again, the mouthpieces and the regime’s television, building the same old narrative—the permanent conspiracy,” Tebas said. He further argued that claims suggesting referees damage “the business that feeds them” reflect a misunderstanding of the league's operation and the role of officiating. Tebas stressed that while Real Madrid remain a vital part of La Liga, the competition itself does not belong to any single club and that disparaging remarks about the league’s value without its star club show disrespect for other teams and their supporters.
Currently, Real Madrid’s campaign has experienced difficulties, leaving them six points behind reigning champions and early leaders Barcelona after the opening matches of the season. Tebas suggested the club’s accusations of referee bias serve as a deflection from their on-field struggles, labeling such narratives “living in another galaxy.” He cautioned that blaming a conspiracy is a convenient excuse that overlooks tangible performance issues.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between La Liga’s leadership and Real Madrid, whose president, Florentino Pérez, has frequently clashed with Tebas over issues ranging from league governance to financial regulations. As the season progresses, the debate over refereeing decisions and club rivalries remains a focal point in Spanish football discourse.