La Liga president Javier Tebas has dismissed suggestions that referees are being directed against Real Madrid, describing the claim as “living in another galaxy”.
Tebas was responding to reports in the Spanish media alleging that there is a refereeing conspiracy against the Spanish giants following their 2-1 defeat by Atlético Madrid.
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho criticised the officiating after the Madrid derby, claiming Atlético should have had two players sent off during the first half.
Mourinho arrived at his post-match press conference with printed screenshots of the incidents he believed warranted red cards.
Tebas rejected the wider claims of bias against Real Madrid, arguing that focusing on refereeing conspiracies distracts from other issues affecting the team.
“Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy,” Tebas wrote on social media.
“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 comments come after Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men during their defeat by Atlético, with defender Dean Huijsen sent off in the second half.
Mourinho strongly objected to the officiating and used the post-match media conference to highlight the incidents he believed should have resulted in Atlético receiving red cards.
“We can skip the press conference because the story of the match is right here,” Mourinho said while displaying the images.
“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 latest dispute adds to a long-running disagreement between Tebas and Real Madrid, with the La Liga president having previously criticised the club and president Florentino Pérez over their support for the proposed European Super League.
Tebas also criticised Real Madrid in 2025 after the club formally complained to the Spanish Football Federation about refereeing in the league.
Real currently sit fourth in La Liga, six points behind leaders Barcelona, who have won all seven of their matches so far.
