Tebas Fires Back: La Liga Chief Blasts Real Madrid's Post-Derby Outcry
The refereeing storm unleashed by the recent Madrid derby refuses to die down, and La Liga president Javier Tebas has now delivered a blistering indictment of Real Madrid's post-match conduct, accusing the club of 'cruel' pressure tactics.
Key Takeaways from Tebas:
- Javier Tebas condemns Real Madrid's public campaign against officials, calling it 'unfair and cruel'.
- He firmly stated Real Madrid did not lose the derby because of refereeing decisions.
- La Liga is actively pursuing action against Real Madrid TV for its biased referee coverage.
- Tebas defended the Huijsen red card but dismissed other major Blancos complaints.
The simmering tension after the fiery Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid clash has boiled over, with Javier Tebas stepping in to castigate Los Blancos. While acknowledging any club's right to dissatisfaction, Tebas drew a hard line against the public campaign launched by Real Madrid and their manager, José Mourinho, following several contentious decisions by referee Ortiz Arias.
"I understand the complaints, but not the manner in which they were made," Tebas declared, dismissing the notion that officials were solely to blame for the outcome. His blunt assessment? "Real Madrid didn't lose because of those plays."
The Broadcast Battle: Real Madrid TV Under Scrutiny
The controversy isn't just confined to the pitch; it's spread to the digital realm. Although Tebas hadn't seen Atletico's 'Stop refereeing harassment now' social media post, he seized the opportunity to double down on La Liga's ongoing legal and ethical battle with Real Madrid's official television channel.
La Liga has previously reported Real Madrid TV for its broadcast segments, which dissect and scrutinize referees before and after matches. Tebas finds this practice increasingly damaging to the integrity of the competition.
"We denounced the conduct of Real Madrid Television some time ago and, after yesterday, we must continue with ethics. It is an unfair and cruel way to pressure the referee," he asserted. When questioned about the referee becoming the focal point of post-match discussions, Tebas cleverly deflected, stating, "The protagonists are the ones who make the comments, therefore, I'm not going to give my opinion."
Derby Day Flashpoints: Tebas Breaks Down the Controversial Calls
The derby was riddled with incidents that sparked immediate debate and VAR interventions. One of the most significant moments was the red card shown to Huijsen, a decision Tebas felt was entirely justified under the rules of the game.
He showed little sympathy for the ensuing protests, remarking, "A red card that was definitely a red, that of Huijsen." However, Tebas was less convinced by other claims from the visiting side.
Romero vs. Bellingham: A Clear Call?
A challenge involving Cuti Romero and Jude Bellingham was another major talking point, with Madrid players clamoring for a red card for the Argentine defender. Tebas disagreed, explaining his view from the live action and replays: "The other one wasn't a red card. You could see he made contact with the ball first."
Kang-in Lee on Valverde: A Missed Red?
Another moment drawing significant scrutiny involved a heavy challenge by Kang-in Lee on Federico Valverde. The South Korean international appeared to catch the Uruguayan midfielder's ankle with his studs, but Ortiz Arias opted not to brandish a card, and the VAR team did not advise an on-field review.
Reflecting on the speed and complexity of the incident, Tebas admitted that a more severe punishment would have been defensible. "A red could be given, it could look like a red, and if you give it, nothing happens. And if not, the play was so fast that I understand what happened and that's it," he explained, acknowledging the difficulty of split-second decisions.
