Real Madrid demand replacement of LaLiga president after derby defeat

Real Madrid have called for the removal of LaLiga president Javier Tebas following another public dispute regarding officiating, this time after their derby loss to Atlético Madrid on Sunday.

The team suffered a 2-1 defeat and quickly pointed fingers at the match officials, stating in their own match report: “Terrible refereeing decides the derby.”

The club expressed their anger that Atlético’s Cristian Romero was not shown a red card for a stamp on Jude Bellingham, and they also raised concerns about a challenge by Lee Kang-in on Federico Valverde.

José Mourinho took the matter to the press, arriving at his post-match conference with printed screenshots of the incidents. He asserted that his side could win the league “if they let us compete on a level playing field.”

Tebas, who has had a contentious relationship with Real president Florentino Pérez for many years, dismissed the allegations.

In response to a pro-Real article suggesting a broader conspiracy against the club, he remarked: “Here they go again, the mouthpieces and the regime’s television, building the same old narrative – the permanent conspiracy.”

He also questioned the idea that LaLiga would benefit from undermining Real, asking whether refereeing decisions should be influenced by “revenue, viewership, or the badge.”

Tebas 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.”

Real Madrid issued their own statement, accusing Tebas of misusing his position to undermine the club.

“Our club considers it intolerable that the president of La Liga uses his institutional position to continue discrediting and attacking Real Madrid,” the statement said.

“Given this inappropriate and persistent behaviour, we believe that the professional football competition in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and realising its full potential with the fundamental duty of neutrality.”

This dispute is the latest chapter in an ongoing conflict between Madrid and LaLiga, encompassing issues from governance and commercial strategy to the Super League and officiating.

Tebas’ reaction was predictably confrontational, yet his broader argument holds merit: LaLiga cannot function on the premise that every controversial decision involving its most prominent club signifies a larger conspiracy.

Currently, Real Madrid trails leaders Barcelona by six points, with the latter having started the season in flawless form. The two teams are set to clash on October 25.

Source: Inside World Football