Real Madrid called for new LaLiga leadership after league president Javier Tibas was attacked during the capital derby. The dispute has sparked an unprecedented refereeing crisis.
Real Madrid, the Spanish royal club, demanded a new leadership for the Spanish Football Federation (LaLiga) after league president Javier Tibas was attacked during the capital derby on September 22, 2026 in Madrid, prompting an escalation of the dispute.
The friction between the two sides has been simmering since the start of the season, initially focusing on financial issues and broadcast rights distribution. The recent assault on Tibas during the Real Madrid‑Atletico Madrid match, however, tipped the balance and highlighted a deepening rift between club management and the league.
Root causes of the escalation
- Disagreements over the allocation of TV‑rights revenue.
- Criticism of refereeing decisions in key league fixtures.
- Administrative interventions by Tibas that have upset major clubs.
Real Madrid stated that continued conflicts would damage the competition’s integrity and called for an independent committee to assume LaLiga’s presidency and overhaul the refereeing system.
In response, the league federation asserted that the attack on Tibas does not justify the club’s demands, emphasizing the need to respect internal regulations. Nevertheless, public and media pressure appears to be pushing both parties toward negotiations.
Analysts expect the board to convene an emergency meeting next week to decide on the next steps, which could include Tibas’s resignation or the creation of a temporary committee to manage LaLiga.
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