LaLiga president Javier Tebas called the alleged referee conspiracy against Real Madrid a smokescreen meant to hide other shortcomings. The comment came after Real's 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby on Sunday.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas said on Sunday, September 22, 2026, that the alleged referee conspiracy against Real Madrid in the Madrid derby is merely a "smokescreen" intended to hide other shortcomings within the federation. The remarks followed the 2-1 victory of Atletico Madrid over Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
Statement details
Tebas described certain media voices and players as trying to divert attention from organizational and administrative errors made by LaLiga this season toward unsubstantiated conspiracy claims. He added that "the refereeing was fair" and that any officiating mistakes do not warrant accusations of a plot.
Real Madrid's response
Real Madrid denied any involvement in a conspiracy and affirmed its confidence in the integrity of the refereeing. The club said it will continue focusing on improving on‑field performance.
Context of the controversy
Calls for a review of refereeing standards have resurfaced after a series of controversial decisions in LaLiga matches, including the derby where two goals for Atletico were confirmed after VAR reviews. These incidents have sparked a broad debate about transparency in officiating.
What’s next?
Tebas announced that LaLiga will keep monitoring referee performance and implement continuous improvement mechanisms, noting that any formal complaint will be examined according to established procedures.
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