La Liga president Javier Tebas has rejected suggestions of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid following their 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s derby.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho reignited the debate after bringing printed screenshots of two tackles involving Atletico players to his post-match press conference, which he believed could have warranted red cards.
Tebas responded on social media to a pro-Real Madrid article and strongly criticised what he described as a recurring narrative portraying the club as victims of refereeing decisions.
“Here they go again, the mouthpieces and the regime’s television, building the same old narrative — the permanent conspiracy,” Tebas said.
He also questioned claims that refereeing decisions were damaging the financial interests of the competition.
“This article goes further — it claims that referees harm ‘the business that feeds them’,” Tebas added.
“What exactly is it asking for? Refereeing based on revenue, viewership, or the badge? What a way to understand equality in the competition.”
While acknowledging Real Madrid’s importance to Spanish football, Tebas insisted that La Liga’s value extends beyond one 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.
Tebas went further in dismissing the suggestion that officials are instructed to make decisions against the 15-time European champions.
“Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy,” he said.
According to Tebas, focusing on refereeing controversies risks diverting attention from Real Madrid’s performances during the early stages of the season.
“That narrative serves as an excuse to cover up other shortcomings that are plain to see in these first matches of the season,” he added.
“It’s more comfortable to point to a conspiracy than to explain what’s happening on the pitch.”
Real Madrid have endured a difficult opening to the campaign and currently sit six points behind defending champions and early leaders Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
Mourinho returned to the Santiago Bernabéu during the summer for a second spell in charge, with the task of ending the club’s two-year wait for a major trophy.
The latest derby defeat has added further pressure around the team, while the growing dispute over refereeing decisions has opened another chapter in the long-running tension between Real Madrid and La Liga leadership.
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