Football
Real Madrid call out LaLiga President, demand change in leadership
Real Madrid have issued an official statement lashing out at La Liga president Javier Tebas, while also demanding a change of leadership in the league.
This comes as a strong response to Tebas after the La Liga chief criticised the club and its complaints about refereeing.
Following the Los Blancos 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid, Tebas had lashed out at Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid over their complaints about the referee and decisions that went against them.
Javier Tebas, President of LaLiga, attends a press conference at headquarters of LaLiga. (Photo by Oscar J. Barroso / AFP7 via Getty Images)
“We denounced the behaviour of Real Madrid Television some time ago and, after yesterday’s events, we must continue to uphold ethical standards,” he had said.
“It’s an unfair and cruel way of putting pressure on the referee.”
Madrid have now released a statement accusing Tebas of being “obsessed” with them and of turning the club into the constant target of his public interventions.
“Our club finds it intolerable that the president of La Liga uses his institutional position to continue disparaging and attacking Real Madrid in the way he does in every one of his public statements.
“It is deeply concerning that someone responsible for representing and protecting the interests of all La Liga clubs remains obsessed with Real Madrid, repeatedly making our club the constant target of his public attacks.”
Real Madrid also took particular issue with Tebas’ latest comments because they were made in response to an article by an independent journalist published by a digital media outlet.
Referee Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias and Jose Mourinho talk during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“His latest statement is particularly serious and incomprehensible, unbecoming of a responsible executive, because he made it while commenting on an article by an independent journalist in a digital publication.
“However, he then reacted against our club by even daring to evaluate our sporting strategy, which is completely absurd and irresponsible.”
Real Madrid also questioned the amount of attention Tebas gives to the club through his personal channels.
“It is utterly astonishing that the president of La Liga dedicates his time and personal channels to publicly discrediting Real Madrid, instead of using his position to build trust in the institutions responsible for ensuring the impartiality of the competition.
“In doing so, he continues to damage the image of our league and of Spanish football worldwide.”
The club concluded its statement by questioning whether the current leadership of Spanish professional football is fulfilling its responsibilities.
“Given this inappropriate and prolonged behavior, we believe that professional football in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and developing its full potential while upholding the fundamental principle of neutrality.”
“It is utterly astonishing that the president of La Liga dedicates his time and personal channels to publicly discrediting Real Madrid, instead of using his position to build trust in the institutions responsible for ensuring the impartiality of the competition.
“In doing so, he continues to damage the image of our league and of Spanish football worldwide.”
“Given this inappropriate and prolonged behavior, we believe that professional football in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and developing its full potential while upholding the fundamental principle of neutrality.”
Real Madrid also stressed that, in their view, the president of La Liga is not the owner of the competition but an administrator working on behalf of the clubs that make up the organisation.
“It needs someone who understands the nature of their role, because the president of LaLiga is not the owner of the competition, but rather a manager serving the clubs that comprise it and entrust its direction to them.
“The clubs need someone who will serve this mission with integrity.”