During a recent press conference, La Liga President Javier Tebas strongly criticized Real Madrid for their formal complaint regarding refereeing decisions following their unexpected 1-0 defeat to Espanyol. Tebas labeled the club’s actions as irrational and accused them of attempting to undermine the integrity of the league.
The remarks came amidst growing tensions between Real Madrid and Spanish football’s officiating bodies.
The controversy stems from two key incidents during the match. The first involved a forceful challenge by Espanyol defender Carlos Romero on Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé, which many felt warranted a red card but was not penalized.
The second incident was the disallowance of a goal by Vinícius Júnior due to a contentious VAR decision. In response, Real Madrid issued a strongly worded statement alleging a “double standard” in officiating and hinting at potential referee manipulation.
They also demanded access to the VAR audio recordings from the match to clarify the reasoning behind the decisions.
Tebas expressed frustration with Real Madrid’s actions, pointing out that the club had refused to participate in a crucial meeting involving La Liga, the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and other professional clubs.
He accused the club of spreading falsehoods and half-truths to support their allegations. Tebas further revealed that La Liga is considering legal action against Real Madrid for disseminating misleading information that could harm the league’s reputation.
The tension between Real Madrid and Spanish football authorities has been escalating in recent weeks. In an apparent response to the controversy, the CTA has appointed César Soto Grado to officiate the highly anticipated Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, with Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea assigned to oversee VAR operations. These appointments have sparked further scrutiny, particularly given the heightened criticism of refereeing decisions in recent matches.
Other clubs have also weighed in on the matter, with Atlético Madrid openly criticizing Real Madrid’s approach. They accused their rivals of using media allies to amplify their complaints and pressure officials.
This ongoing dispute highlights deeper issues within Spanish football regarding refereeing standards and the strained relationships between clubs and governing bodies.
The escalating conflict underscores the challenges faced by La Liga in maintaining the credibility of its officiating system while balancing the interests of its top clubs. As legal actions are considered and the Madrid derby approaches, all eyes remain on how the league and its referees will navigate this turbulent period.
