Tebas rejects claims of refereeing 'conspiracy' against Real Madrid

La Liga president Javier Tebas has dismissed suggestions of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid, calling such claims "living in another galaxy" on social media and saying the narrative is used to "cover up other shortcomings" in the club's early-season performances.

WHAT HAPPENED
Real manager Jose Mourinho publicly criticised officiating after his side lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, handing reporters printed screenshots he said showed Atletico should have had two first-half red cards. The match saw Real reduced to 10 men after defender Dean Huijsen was sent off. Mourinho told media: "We can skip the press conference because the story of the match is right here," and added that the incidents were "two clear red cards." He said those decisions affected the game, suggesting the team struggled with the numerical disadvantage.

KEY CONTEXT
Real sit fourth in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona, who top the table on 21 points after winning all seven of their league games this season. Tebas has a history of public disputes with Real and its president Florentino Pérez, notably over the proposed European Super League in 2021. In 2025 he also said Real had "lost their head" after the club sent a formal complaint to the Spanish FA about officiating in the league.