Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Tebas Rejects Real Madrid Refereeing Conspiracy Claims After Derby Loss
Real Madrid lost a soccer derby to Atlético Madrid by 2-1.
After the game, coach José Mourinho showed pictures of tackles he believed should have resulted in red cards.
Some supporters and commentators said referees were treating Real Madrid unfairly.
La Liga president Javier Tebas rejected that idea.
He called the claims a repeated conspiracy story.
Tebas said referees should not make decisions based on a club’s fame or revenue.
He also said Real Madrid’s poor start could not simply be blamed on referees.
At the time, Real Madrid were six points behind Barcelona in the league table.
La Liga president Javier Tebas rejected claims of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid.
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho displayed two screenshots of alleged red-card tackles by Atlético Madrid players.
Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Atlético Madrid in Sunday’s derby.
Tebas said conspiracy claims unfairly diminish other clubs, their fans, and their history.
Real Madrid were six points behind early leaders Barcelona after a stuttering start to the season.
- Who
- La Liga president Javier Tebas, Real Madrid coach José Mourinho, and Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid.
- What
- Tebas rejected allegations that referees were part of a conspiracy against Real Madrid.
- When
- Tebas responded on Tuesday, September 22, after Sunday’s derby.
- Where
- The dispute concerned La Liga and the Madrid derby.
- Why
- Mourinho and Real Madrid supporters pointed to alleged red-card tackles, while Tebas said conspiracy claims were being used to explain problems on the pitch.
Real Madrid’s Allegations
Tebas’s Rebuttal
Refereeing decisions
Real Madrid’s Allegations
José Mourinho highlighted two Atlético Madrid tackles that he believed should have resulted in red cards, supporting concerns that Real Madrid were treated unfairly.
Tebas’s Rebuttal
Javier Tebas rejected the idea that referees were directed against Real Madrid and called the claim a conspiracy narrative.
Reason for the poor start
Real Madrid’s Allegations
The allegations implied that refereeing decisions contributed to Real Madrid’s derby defeat and difficult start.
Tebas’s Rebuttal
Tebas said blaming a conspiracy was an excuse that avoided addressing shortcomings visible on the pitch.
Real Madrid’s importance
Real Madrid’s Allegations
A pro-Real article argued that harming Real Madrid could harm the business that supports the league.
Tebas’s Rebuttal
Tebas said Real Madrid were crucial to La Liga but rejected the idea that the competition belonged to one club or should be officiated according to revenue, viewership, or status.
- Match result
- Atlético Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2-1.
- Tebas’s position
- He rejected allegations of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid.
- Mourinho’s evidence
- He brought two printed screenshots of tackles he believed warranted red cards.
- League position
- Real Madrid were six points behind early leaders Barcelona.
- Real Madrid status
- The club was described as a 15-time European champion.
- Tebas’s criticism
- He said the conspiracy narrative could distract from shortcomings visible in the season’s first matches.