La Liga president hits out at Real Madrid refereeing ‘conspiracy’ claims
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Real Madrid’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho gesturing to players during his side’s 2-1 La Liga loss to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano in Madrid on Sept 20.
PHOTO: AFP
- La Liga president Javier Tebas strongly rejected claims of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid after their loss to Atletico Madrid.
- Tebas criticised Real and their president for blaming referees instead of addressing the team's poor performance.
- He emphasised that La Liga belongs to all clubs and warned against narratives that undermine the competition's fairness and equality.
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MADRID – La Liga president Javier Tebas hit out on Sept 22 at what he deemed accusations of a refereeing “conspiracy” by Real Madrid following their derby loss to Atletico Madrid.
Real coach Jose Mourinho brought two printed screenshots of what he thought were red-card tackles committed by Atletico players to his post-match press conference following the 2-1 defeat on Sept 20.
Tebas responded to a pro-Real article on social media with a lengthy riposte to allegations of a “conspiracy” against the 15-time European champions.
“Here they go again, the mouthpieces and the regime’s television, building the same old narrative – the permanent conspiracy,” said Tebas, who has often been at odds with Real and the club’s outspoken president Florentino Perez.
“This article goes further – it claims that referees harm ‘The business that feeds them’.
“What exactly is it asking for? Refereeing based on revenue, viewership, or the badge? What a way to understand equality in the competition.
“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 have made a stuttering start to the season and already sit six points behind reigning champions and early leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table.
“Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy,” added Tebas.
“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.”
Mourinho returned for a second spell in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu in the close season tasked with ending a two-year spell without a major trophy. AFP