Real Madrid have called for the immediate resignation of LaLiga president Javier Tebas after he mocked the club's complaints over the refereeing in their 2-1 derby defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish giants released an explosive official statement condemning Tebas for his comments, which they described as intolerable and unbecoming of a responsible administrator. The dispute follows a tense clash at the Metropolitano on Sunday, where Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was left furious by the performance of referee Ortiz Arias.
Mourinho, who arrived at his post-match press conference armed with printed photographs of fouls he believed were ignored, insisted that Atletico should have seen two players sent off. Instead, Real Madrid were reduced to ten men when Dean Huijsen was dismissed for dragging down Giuliano Simeone in the penalty area.
Tebas dismisses conspiracy claims
The escalating feud began when Tebas responded to an article suggesting a conspiracy against Real Madrid in the wake of the derby defeat. The LaLiga president, who has headed Spain's top professional football division since 2013, dismissed the complaints out of hand.
"Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy," Tebas said. "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."
Real Madrid reacted swiftly with a fierce official statement, attacking the league chief for using his institutional position to discredit the club over an article written by an independent journalist in a digital media outlet.
"Our club considers it intolerable that the president of LaLiga uses his institutional position to continue discrediting and attacking Real Madrid," the statement read. "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."
The club added that his latest intervention was particularly serious and incomprehensible, taking the liberty of critiquing their sporting strategy. They labelled the move as utterly absurd and irresponsible.
Mourinho targets refereeing standards
The boardroom conflict follows a bruising encounter on the pitch in the Spanish capital. Real Madrid fell behind when Alejandro Grimaldo converted the penalty conceded by Huijsen. Forward Jonathan David then doubled Atletico's advantage before defender Antonio Rudiger pulled a late goal back for the visitors.
The result leaves Real Madrid fourth in the LaLiga table. They currently trail Atletico Madrid, Real Betis, and league leaders Barcelona, who sit six points clear of Mourinho's side with a perfect record in the early stages of the season.
Mourinho directed his anger at referee Arias and VAR official Trujillo. The manager claimed that Atletico defender Cristian Romero should have been dismissed in the first half for stamping on Jude Bellingham's knee, and that South Korean international Lee Kang-In deserved a red card for a challenge on Federico Valverde's left ankle.
"We could save ourselves the press conference," an irritated Mourinho began. "Here they are, two clear reds. It would have been 50 minutes of 11 against nine. All I can do is hug my players, who gave everything, who produced a first half full of class and personality. I prepared the match so we could win it in the second half."
The manager also questioned the appointment of the 41-year-old Arias, noting that he had never officiated at an international level and predicting he would not reach the top level of the game. He added that the officials were selected a week in advance, rather than the customary 24 hours.
"The one who should be happy is the Refereeing Appointments Committee because the whole thing was very strange," Mourinho continued. "The poor guy came here and couldn't handle the pressure. The pressure here is like something out of the 1980s."
VAR official heavily criticised
Mourinho reserved specific criticism for Trujillo, accusing the VAR official of having a history of questionable decisions against Real Madrid, citing previous matches including last year's Copa del Rey final, and fixtures involving Osasuna and Girona.
"Trujillo, the VAR official, called him over for the first red and didn't call him over for the second, which was even clearer," Mourinho said. "If the poor referee has no experience, no stature for a derby, then this man is either under no pressure, or under a kind of pressure we know nothing about."
Real Madrid backed their manager in their official statement, describing the performance of Arias as very terrible refereeing. The club maintained that the failure to dismiss Romero, despite Arias reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, and the decision to spare Kang-In ultimately decided the match in Atletico's favour.
Mourinho, who took charge of the club three months ago, said the officiating made a comeback impossible.
"I would have liked to leave here with the win or without having to speak. I arrived here three months ago and you know I'm not usually one to go in this direction," Mourinho said. "Two reds against Elche and we won. Two reds today, that's already more difficult. It's a referee with only small matches behind him and a VAR official who has a history. Congratulations to the Refereeing Appointments Committee."
