Tebas dismisses Real ref conspiracy claims

La Liga president Javier Tebas has pushed back hard against claims of a refereeing conspiracy targeting Real Madrid. As BBC Sport reports, Tebas said on social media that suggesting referees are directed against Real is “living in another galaxy,” arguing that this storyline is used to cover up issues that are, in his view, already obvious in the early season.

The comments follow José Mourinho’s public criticism after Real lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid last week. Mourinho brought printed screenshots to his post-match news conference, claiming Atletico should have received two red cards in the first half.

Row sparked after the derby

According to BBC Sport, Mourinho showed the media the printed images and said the match’s story was “right here,” insisting that the incidents amounted to two clear red cards. He also pointed to the consequences of what happened afterwards, with Real reduced to 10 men following defender Dean Huijsen’s sending off during a heated contest.

La Liga answers the accusations

In his reply, Tebas didn’t just reject the conspiracy narrative; he also suggested it’s easier to point to a cover-up than to explain what’s happening on the pitch. As BBC Sport notes, Tebas has clashed with Real and president Florentino Pérez in previous years, including over the club’s plans to join the European Super League in 2021.

BBC Sport adds that in 2025 Tebas said Real had “lost their head” after the club sent a formal complaint letter to the Spanish FA about officiating in the league. This time, with Mourinho’s post-derby accusations reigniting the debate, La Liga has drawn a firm line.