# Real Madrid demands La Liga president's removal

> After a controversial derby loss, Real Madrid escalates its feud with Javier Tebas over refereeing complaints.
- Title: Real Madrid demands La Liga president's removal · the Guardian
- Summary: After a controversial derby loss, Real Madrid escalates its feud with Javier Tebas over refereeing complaints. Real Madrid is calling for the La Liga…
- Keywords: real madrid, la liga, javier tebas, atlético madrid, josé mourinho, refereeing controversy, derby defeat, florentino pérez, officiating bias, spanish football, sports, Real
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/22/la-liga-president-javier-tebas-real-madrid-conspiracy-claims-derby-defeat
- Author: Agencies
- Published: 2026-09-22T17:02:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: real madrid, la liga, javier tebas, atlético madrid, josé mourinho, refereeing controversy, derby defeat, florentino pérez, officiating bias, spanish football, sports
## Real Madrid loses controversial derby
Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Atlético Madrid on Sunday, with manager José Mourinho criticizing the referee for missed red cards and unfair decisions.

> Terrible refereeing decides the derby.
## Mourinho brings evidence to press conference
José Mourinho brought printed screenshots of what he believed were red-card offences to his post-match press conference, claiming his team could win the title if given a fair playing field.

> if they let us compete on a level playing field.
## Tebas dismisses conspiracy claims
La Liga president Javier Tebas responded on social media, saying Real Madrid's allegations of bias belong to 'another galaxy' and accused the club of pushing a 'permanent conspiracy' narrative.

> This article goes further, it claims that referees harm 'the business that feeds them'.
## Tebas defends competition integrity
Tebas argued that La Liga belongs to no one and that refereeing should not be based on revenue or club prestige, defending the competition's equality.

> The competition belongs to no one.
## Real Madrid calls for president's removal
Real Madrid issued a statement calling Tebas's behaviour 'intolerable' and demanding a new La Liga president capable of managing the competition with neutrality.

> we believe that the professional football competition in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it
## Real Madrid trails Barcelona by six points
Real Madrid currently sits six points behind Barcelona, the reigning champions and early leaders in La Liga this season.
## Key takeaway

Real Madrid is calling for the La Liga president to be replaced, citing his dismissive response to their concerns about officiating bias in a derby defeat.