Real Madrid accuses LaLiga chief Tebas of power abuse after derby loss

After the defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Madrid derby, Real Madrid issued a strong statement in which the club accuses LaLiga chairman Javier Tebas of abuse of power. In the official message, The Royal says it is astonished by Tebas’s behaviour, which they claim is being used to belittle and attack Real.

Derby and the arbitration‑controversy

The trigger for the conflict lies in the match last Sunday, in which Real Madrid lost to Atlético Madrid. Afterwards the club voiced strong criticism of the refereeing decisions, in particular the role of Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias, who, according to Real Madrid, received a red card while Atlético received no sanction.

José Mourinho, then coach of Real Madrid, displayed during the press conference an A4 sheet with moments where he believed Atlético‑players should have been sent off. The club followed this with an additional statement about the arbitration.

Tebas responds to the accusations

Javier Tebas responded via X (formerly Twitter) and declared that he is done with the ‘conspiracy theories’ of the Madrilenians. He argued that the media and press of the ‘regime’ repeat their usual narrative and that every match can be officiated by international or non‑international referees.

In an earlier statement Tebas had already said that Real Madrid did not lose because of the referee. His recent response was labelled by Real Madrid as ‘intolerable’ and as an abuse of his position.

Real Madrid demands neutrality

The club statement emphasizes that the LaLiga chairman is obsessed with Real Madrid and that this increases the reputational damage to the competition and Spanish football worldwide. Real Madrid concludes that the professional football league in Spain urgently needs a leader who can guarantee neutrality and develop the competition’s full potential.

Although the club does not explicitly call for Tebas’s departure, it asks for an executive who understands the nature of his role and fulfills it with integrity.