La Liga president rejects claims of refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid
La Liga president Javier Tebas said on social media that assertions of a refereeing conspiracy targeting Real Madrid are like "living in another galaxy", after Real were beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid last week and manager Jose Mourinho publicly criticised the officiating.
Tebas was responding to an article in the Spanish media which had claimed there is a "conspiracy" against Real Madrid and dismissed those allegations as an unhelpful narrative. He has a record of disagreements with the club, having opposed Real's plans to join a European Super League in 2021 and publicly criticised the club in 2025 after it sent a formal letter of complaint to the Spanish FA about officiating.
Mourinho accused match officials of making key errors following the derby defeat and produced printed screenshots at his post-match news conference to support his case. He told reporters: "We can skip the press conference because the story of the match is right here," and added: "Those were two clear red cards. Given the difficulties we faced afterwards playing 11 against 10, we can only imagine what 50 minutes of 11 against nine would have been like."
The game finished 2-1 to Atletico and was described in reports as a feisty encounter in which Real were reduced to 10 men after defender Dean Huijsen was sent off. Mourinho blamed the officiating after the defeat, saying Atletico should have had two red cards in the first half.
Writing in reply to the media piece, Tebas said: "Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy." He added: "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."
Atletico have publicly responded to Mourinho's complaints, with the club reported to have hit back over his criticism of the refereeing.
The defeat left Real fourth in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona, who top the table on 21 points after winning all seven of their league games so far this season.
