Real Madrid have called for ‘intolerable’ LaLiga president Javier Tebas to resign – after he mocked their complaints about refereeing.
The Spanish giants were furious with the officiating in the Madrid derby, which they lost 2-1 to city rivals Atletico.
It prompted Jose Mourinho to rant about the ‘poor’ referee Ortiz Arias, who he suggested was unqualified, and led to the club releasing an official statement condemning the ‘very terrible refereeing’.
They felt that Cristian Romero and Lee Kang-In should have been sent off – the former for a stamp on Jude Bellingham and the latter for a challenge on Federico Valverde.
In the aftermath, LaLiga boss Tebas responded to an article which claimed there was a ‘conspiracy’ against Madrid, saying that ‘claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy.’
But now Madrid have hit back, writing: ‘Our club considers it intolerable that the president of LaLiga uses his institutional position to continue discrediting and attacking Real Madrid.
Real Madrid have called for LaLiga president Javier Tebas (above) to resign after he mocked their complaints over refereeing in the capital city derby
Jose Mourinho was furious at the refereeing performance of Ortiz Arias (right) on Sunday
Mourinho was so livid at the refereeing performance that he printed out fouls he felt were missed, calling for two red cards
‘Given this inappropriate and persistent behaviour, we believe that the professional football competition in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing it and realising its full potential with the fundamental duty of neutrality.
‘His latest intervention is particularly serious and incomprehensible – unbecoming of a responsible administrator – as it involves commenting on an article by an independent journalist in a digital media outlet.
‘Yet, he reacts against our club by taking the liberty of critiquing our sporting strategy – an utterly absurd and irresponsible move.’
Tebas’ comment in full had read: ‘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.’
Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men in the derby after Dean Huijsen dragged down Giuliano Simeone in the penalty box.
That allowed Alejandro Grimaldo to convert from the spot, before Jonathan David doubled Atletico’s lead. Madrid got a late goal back via Antonio Rudiger.
Mourinho was in disbelief at a referee he is adamant will never make it to the highest level
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham was furious at officials after Cristian Romero was not sent off
The result leaves Madrid fourth in the table, six points behind league leaders Barcelona, who have a perfect record. They also trail Atletico and Real Betis.
Manager Mourinho was seething in his press conference and arrived with printed out photos which showed, in his opinion, a series of major calls missed by the referee.
‘We could save ourselves the press conference,’ an irritated Mourinho began.
‘Here they are [shows photos of the possible red cards], two clear reds. It would have been 50 minutes of 11 against nine. All I can do is hug my players, who gave everything, who produced a first half full of class and personality. I prepared the match so we could win it in the second half.’
‘The one who should be happy is the Refereeing Appointments Committee because the whole thing was very strange,’ Mourinho’s rant continued.
‘A week in advance, they already knew who the referee would be, when it used to be 24 hours before. A 41-year-old referee, who has never been an international, that won’t be top level.
‘The poor guy came here and couldn’t handle the pressure.
‘The pressure here is like something out of the 1980s. Trujillo, the VAR official, called him over for the first red and didn’t call him over for the second, which was even clearer. This Trujillo has a history with Real Madrid: last year in the Copa final, Osasuna, Girona…
‘If the poor referee has no experience, no stature for a derby, then this man is either under no pressure, or under a kind of pressure we know nothing about.
‘I would have liked to leave here with the win or without having to speak. I arrived here three months ago and you know I’m not usually one to go in this direction.
‘Two reds against Elche and we won. Two reds today, that’s already more difficult. It’s a referee with only small matches behind him and a VAR official who has a history.
‘Congratulations to the Refereeing Appointments Committee.’
In an official club statement, Real Madrid said: ‘Real Madrid lose the derby at the Metropolitano in a match marked by Ortiz Arias’ VERY TERRIBLE REFEREEING.
‘He failed to send off Cuti Romero in the first half for stepping on Bellingham’s knee (despite going to the monitor to review the incident), nor did he send off Lee Kang-In for stepping on Valverde’s left ankle.
‘Both decisions had an impact on the match, which was ultimately decided in Atlético’s favor in the second half.’
