Tebas Blasts Real Madrid's 'Galaxy-Sized' Refereeing Conspiracy Claims After Derby Defeat

La Liga president Javier Tebas has delivered a blistering riposte to Real Madrid's refereeing conspiracy claims, dismissing the allegations as belonging "in another galaxy" in the aftermath of the club's tempestuous 2-1 derby defeat to Atlético Madrid. The extraordinary row ignited on Sunday when Real Madrid coach José Mourinho transformed his post-match press conference into something resembling a courtroom exhibition. The Portuguese manager arrived armed with two printed screenshots of challenges he insisted were red-card offences committed by Atlético players — a theatrical protest designed to spotlight what he viewed as glaring officiating injustices during the defeat. But Mourinho's provocative display found little sympathy from Spanish football's most senior administrator. Speaking on Tuesday, Tebas pushed back forcefully against any suggestion that the league's competition is being manipulated against the record European champions. "The competition belongs to no one," Tebas declared — a pointed reminder that no club, however powerful, holds dominion over La Liga's integrity. By describing the conspiracy talk as existing "in another galaxy," the president effectively accused the Madrid camp of drifting into the realm of fantasy. The confrontation marks the latest flashpoint in the long-running tension between La Liga's leadership and its most powerful clubs over refereeing standards. Mourinho, never a stranger to confrontation with officials, has built a career on contesting decisions that go against his teams, but Tebas's uncompromising response signals the league's determination to quash narratives it believes corrode confidence in Spanish football. For Atlético, the derby triumph delivered more than three points — it handed them bragging rights in the capital while their rivals' grievances dominated the headlines. That Real Madrid's post-match energy has been channelled into officiating complaints rather than tactical introspection will not have escaped notice in the Atlético dressing room. The question now is how far this dispute escalates. Real Madrid have historically shown little hesitation in pursuing grievances through official channels, while Tebas has repeatedly demonstrated he will not retreat when challenged. With the season's decisive months approaching, a war of words between the league's president and its most decorated club threatens to overshadow events on the pitch. What is certain is that the fallout from one fiercely contested derby has exposed deeper fault lines within Spanish football — between club power and institutional authority, between perception and proof, and between a coach's raw passion and a president's uncompromising pragmatism. This article is based on original reporting by Guardian Football.