Real Madrid call for new La Liga leadership after Tebas dispute

Real Madrid have called for a new La Liga president after Javier Tebas publicly challenged complaints about refereeing following their 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid on Sunday. According to the Guardian's report, the club responded to Tebas with a statement arguing that Spanish professional football needs leadership that maintains neutrality, escalating a dispute that began with decisions in the derby.

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Madrid's objections centred on two incidents. The club believed Atletico defender Cristian Romero should have been sent off for a stamp on Jude Bellingham and also complained about a challenge by Lee Kang-in on Federico Valverde. Its official match report blamed refereeing for the outcome. Those complaints represented Madrid's assessment of the decisions, rather than an established finding of bias against the club.

Manager Jose Mourinho also criticised referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias and the officials responsible for his appointment. At his post-match news conference, Mourinho presented two printed screenshots of challenges he believed warranted red cards. He linked Madrid's title prospects to his demand for fair conditions, making the refereeing dispute a prominent part of the club's response to the defeat.

Tebas intervened on Tuesday with a social-media response to an article supportive of Madrid. He rejected suggestions of a conspiracy against the club and criticised the recurring portrayal of refereeing decisions as part of a campaign. He also challenged the implication that officials should take account of a team's commercial importance, audience or identity when making decisions on the pitch.

While acknowledging Madrid's importance to La Liga, Tebas disputed the argument that the competition had no value without them. His response emphasised the other clubs, their supporters and their histories. Madrid then accused him of using his position to attack and discredit the club, saying his conduct demonstrated the need for a different leader to manage the competition and develop its potential.

The exchange adds an institutional dispute to the sporting consequences of Madrid's derby loss. The Guardian reported that Madrid are six points behind Barcelona, the defending champions and early league leaders. The latest statements set out sharply opposing positions: Madrid are challenging Tebas's neutrality, while the league president is rejecting the club's broader narrative about officiating.