Real Madrid demand new LaLiga president as Tebas row escalates after derby defeat

Real Madrid have publicly demanded the removal of LaLiga president Javier Tebas, declaring his response to the club’s refereeing grievances “intolerable” and calling for new leadership capable of managing Spanish football with “fundamental neutrality”.

The dispute intensified in the aftermath of Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid, during which manager Jose Mourinho held a post-match press conference brandishing printed images of controversial incidents. Mourinho argued that Atletico could have had two players sent off in the first half. Atletico responded in kind, posting their own printed graphic on social media with the message: “Stop refereeing harassment now.”

Tebas entered the argument through his personal social media channels, dismissing Madrid’s conspiracy claims outright. “Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy,” he wrote. “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.”

Madrid responded with a formal club statement rejecting Tebas’ right to use his institutional position to attack them. The club described his latest remarks as “particularly serious and incomprehensible, unbecoming of a responsible manager”, noting that he had gone as far as to publicly comment on their sporting strategy.

“It is utterly surprising that the president of LaLiga dedicates his time and personal platforms to constantly trying to publicly discredit Real Madrid, instead of contributing, from the responsibility of his position, to fostering trust in the institutions that must ensure the impartiality of the competition,” the statement read. “By doing so, he continues to damage the image of our competition and Spanish football worldwide.”

Madrid concluded by stating that Spanish professional football “urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and developing its full potential” — a direct call for Tebas to be replaced. The escalation marks a significant deepening of a long-running tension between the club and the league’s governing body, with both sides now publicly questioning each other’s credibility and conduct.