LaLiga president rebukes Real Madrid over refereeing 'conspiracy' claims

Madrid — LaLiga president Javier Tebas on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) criticised what he described as accusations of a refereeing "conspiracy" levelled by Real Madrid after their 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid on Sunday (September 20). The exchange followed Real coach Jose Mourinho presenting printed screenshots of tackles he believed warranted red cards at his post-match press conference.

Mourinho's press-conference images prompted Tebas to reply to a pro-Real article on social media with a lengthy rebuttal, which included the line, "Here they go again, the mouthpieces and the regime's television, building the same old narrative — the permanent conspiracy." Tebas has frequently clashed with Real Madrid and its president Florentino Perez, and framed the article as an attempt to portray referees as biased against the club.

Tebas criticised the suggestion that officials act to shield a commercial interest, writing: "This article goes further — it claims that referees harm 'The business that feeds them'. 'What exactly is it asking for? Refereeing based on revenue, viewership, or the badge? What a way to understand equality in the competition.' He added, "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."

Addressing the specific allegation of targeted officiating, Tebas wrote, "Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy." He also 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.'"

Real Madrid issued a response on Tuesday (September 22), calling Tebas's comments "intolerable." "Our club considers it intolerable that the president of La Liga uses his institutional position to continue discrediting and attacking Real Madrid in the manner he does in each of his public interventions," the club said in a statement. "Given this inappropriate behavior, which has persisted over time, we believe that professional football in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and developing its full potential with the fundamental duty of neutrality."

Mourinho, who returned for a second spell in charge at the Santiago Bernabéu in the close-season, was hired with the objective of ending a two-year spell without a major trophy. On Tuesday (September 22), the technical committee of referees acknowledged "a clear and obvious error" regarding one of the fouls cited by Mourinho, adding that VAR should have intervened.

The controversy comes as Real Madrid have made a stuttering start to the season and sit six points behind champions and early leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table.