La Liga president Javier Tebas has rejected suggestions that Real Madrid are being targeted by referees, accusing the club and its supporters of reviving a narrative of systematic bias following Sunday’s derby defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Tebas responded on social media to an article sympathetic to Real Madrid, using the post to challenge what he described as allegations of a refereeing “conspiracy” against the Spanish giants.
“Here they go again, the mouthpieces and the regime’s television, building the same old narrative — the permanent conspiracy,” Tebas wrote.
His comments followed Jose Mourinho’s post-match criticism of the officiating after Atletico secured a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.
The Real Madrid coach arrived at his press conference carrying printed screenshots of two challenges by Atletico players that he believed should have resulted in red cards.
Tebas questioned the suggestion that refereeing decisions were being influenced by Real Madrid’s commercial importance to Spanish football.
“What exactly is it asking for? Refereeing based on revenue, viewership, or the badge? What a way to understand equality in the competition,” he said.
While acknowledging Real Madrid’s importance to La Liga, Tebas argued that the league’s value extends beyond the capital 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 has frequently clashed with Real Madrid and club president Florentino Perez, making the latest exchange another chapter in their longstanding disagreements.
He also rejected the idea that referees were deliberately working against Real Madrid, arguing that such claims could distract from the team’s performances on the pitch.
“Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy,” Tebas 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.”
The dispute comes as Real Madrid seek to recover from an uneven start to the campaign. The club currently sits six points behind reigning champions and early leaders Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
Mourinho returned to the Santiago Bernabeu during the close-season for a second spell in charge, with the Portuguese coach tasked with ending Real Madrid’s two-year wait for a major trophy.
