Real Madrid have called for a new LaLiga president after branding Javier Tebas’ response to the club’s refereeing complaints as “intolerable”.
Madrid’s row against referees has dominated the fallout of their 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid, led by manager Jose Mourinho who produced printed out images of controversial incidents in a post-match press conference, arguing that Diego Simeone’s side could have had two red cards in the first half. Atletico responded with their own print-out on social media with the message: “Stop refereeing harassment now.”
Tebas took to social media to address claims of a conspiracy against Madrid, stating that the club is always finding an excuse to complain and that they use alleged referees' mistake as a way to hide its own failings.
Responding to an article talking about an alleged conspiracy, he wrote: “Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy. 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. And my stance doesn't depend on any position: a refereeing error doesn't prove a conspiracy, nor does repeating it for years turn it into truth.”
Madrid have hit back by saying they do not accept Tebas’ use of “his institutional position to continue discrediting and attacking Real Madrid”.
“His latest remarks are particularly serious and incomprehensible, unbecoming of a responsible manager, as they are made in response to an article by an independent journalist in a digital media outlet,” the club wrote in a statement.
“However, he reacts against our club and goes as far as to comment on our sporting strategy, which is entirely inappropriate and irresponsible.
“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. By doing so, he continues to damage the image of our competition and Spanish football worldwide.
“Given this inappropriate behaviour, which has persisted over time, we believe that professional football in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and developing its full potential with the fundamental duty of neutrality.
“It needs someone who understands the nature of their role, as the president of LaLiga is not the owner of the competition but a manager serving the clubs that comprise it and entrust him with its direction. The clubs need someone who serves this mission with honesty.”
Tebas responded to Madrid's statement saying he “fully" agreed with one thing: "The president of La Liga is not the owner of the competition. Neither is the president of Real Madrid.”
Madrid also launched an attack against Spanish journalist Juanma Castano over his comparison of the club's official TV channel with newspaper Gara, which has a history of being linked with the former Basque separatist terrorist organisation ETA.
“Real Madrid CF considers absolutely deplorable and unacceptable the comparison made by Cope journalist Juanma Castano between Realmadrid TV and the newspaper Gara, in an article published today in the newspaper ABC,” a statement read.
“Our club believes that comparing the official media outlet of Real Madrid with a newspaper whose history is linked to the world of the terrorist group ETA constitutes an extremely serious act that crosses all boundaries.
“Realmadrid TV legitimately exercises its right to inform and defend the interests of our club, its members, and its supporters, and it is the official communication medium of a club with 124 years of history, representing the sensitivity and values of millions of fans worldwide.
“Real Madrid reserves the right to take any measures it deems appropriate in response to this completely unacceptable attack.”
