OffsAIde
·22 September 2026
Javier Tebas rebukes Mourinho and Real Madrid over derby refereeing row

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Yahoo sportsOffsAIde
·22 September 2026

Javier Tebas, the La Liga president, hit back at Real Madrid’s complaints over the derby officiating after their 1-2 defeat on Sunday. He used social media early on Tuesday to dismiss claims referees are aligned against Real Madrid, saying such talk belongs in another galaxy and serves as an alibi for early-season shortcomings and on-pitch issues.
“The red card for Huijsen was incontestable,” he told As. “The other foul did not merit a red, he clearly touched the ball first,” he added, referring to Cristian Romero’s challenge.
On Kang-In Lee’s studs on Federico Valverde, Tebas said it could have been a red card and might have looked like one, and that if it had been given there would be nothing to contest. He added the action was so quick he could understand how it unfolded.
The 64-year-old also argued Real Madrid did not lose because of those incidents.
After the match, José Mourinho criticised referee Ortiz Arias as “not a great referee” and, using photos, pointed to two “clear red cards” he felt were missed. Real Madrid TV echoed that line, which Tebas called an unjust and cruel way to put pressure on the referee.
Source: L'Équipe
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