UEFA Champions League
Latest news at Real Madrid. The white club has responded on September 22, 2026 to Javier Tebas for his criticisms after the derby against Atlético Madrid and the protests against the referees. The club demands a change in the direction of LaLiga and questions the neutrality of the president.
Real Madrid toughens its response to Javier Tebas
The statement comes after Javier Tebas publicly questioned the way Real Madrid protested the referee's decisions in the Metropolitano match. The president of LaLiga argued that the controversial plays did not explain the defeat and criticized Real Madrid TV's performance regarding the referees.
Real Madrid believes that Tebas is using his institutional position to repeatedly attack the club. The entity also questions that the president of LaLiga intervenes in the Madridista's sports strategy through his personal channels.
The club's response comes two days after the derby played on September 20, which ended with Atlético winning 2-1. The match was marked by decisions from Ortiz Arias and two actions claimed by the white team: the tackles from Cuti Romero on Bellingham and Kang-in Lee on Valverde.
Official Statement. https://t.co/XDY0osLIK5
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 22, 2026
Referees open another front after the derby
The controversy began in the match itself. Real Madrid demanded the expulsion of Cuti Romero after a tackle on Bellingham and another from Kang-in Lee on Fede Valverde, actions that referee Ortiz Arias did not punish with a red card. The club linked both decisions to the course of the match.
José Mourinho also criticized the referees after the match. The Madrid coach pointed to the main referee, the VAR, and the Technical Committee of Referees, while Javier Tebas later defended that the referee's performance did not determine the result.
The discussion continues after Fede Valverde got injured in that action. The club confirmed on September 22 a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle, with an estimated recovery time of two to three weeks.
Real Madrid now elevates the conflict to an institutional level. In its statement, it argues that LaLiga needs a leader who acts with neutrality and reminds that its president acts as a manager for the clubs in the competition.
The next chapter will depend on the response from Javier Tebas and whether the confrontation continues during the international break. Real Madrid, on the other hand, keeps the dispute open regarding the derby officiating as the competition enters a pause after the seventh round.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Real Madrid carga contra Javier Tebas
