There are feuds in football, and then there is the long, grinding war of words between La Liga president Javier Tebas and Real Madrid. The latest skirmish arrived this week, and it was a sharp one.

After Real were beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid in a feisty city derby, manager Jose Mourinho did something rather theatrical at his post-match press conference — he arrived clutching printed screenshots of incidents he believed should have resulted in two Atletico players receiving red cards in the first half. His argument, essentially, was that the officials had cost his side the match. Atletico responded to those claims publicly, and the row quickly spilled beyond the two clubs.

When a piece appeared in the Spanish media suggesting there is a systematic refereeing conspiracy working against Real Madrid, Tebas had seen enough. Taking to social media, he was characteristically blunt in his response.

"Claiming that referees are directed against Real Madrid is living in another galaxy," Tebas wrote. "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."

It is the kind of line that lands like a well-placed elbow — not quite a red card offence, but nobody nearby is in any doubt it happened. And Real, unsurprisingly, were furious.

In an official club statement, they described it as "intolerable" for Tebas to use his platform to attack them, calling his remarks "particularly serious and incomprehensible". They went further, suggesting that Spanish football needs a leader with a "fundamental duty of neutrality" — a barely veiled call for Tebas to either change his conduct or consider his position. The statement also reminded him that "the president of La Liga is not the owner of the competition but a manager serving the clubs that comprise it."

It is well worth remembering the backdrop here. Tebas and Real's president Florentino Perez have clashed repeatedly in recent years, most notably over Real's involvement in the ill-fated European Super League proposals in 2021. Then, earlier this year, Tebas declared that Real had "lost their head" after they sent a formal letter of complaint to the Spanish FA over officiating standards. Round after round, this particular fight keeps finding new fuel.

As for the football itself, Real's position on the table gives Tebas's words a sharper edge. They sit fourth in La Liga, six points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who have won every one of their seven league matches this season. The defeat to Atletico — in which Real were reduced to ten men after defender Dean Huijsen was sent off — made it a damaging week, and Mourinho's press conference theatrics, while compelling viewing, did little to shift the narrative away from a side that, right now, looks off the pace.

Whether or not the refereeing decisions were as egregious as Mourinho suggested, the uncomfortable truth for Real is that the Bernabeu club's strongest argument will always be results. A run of form that closes the gap on Barcelona would quieten the doubters far more effectively than a printed dossier. For now, the conspiracy claims are generating heat — but Tebas, with characteristic relish, is making sure the light falls squarely on Madrid's own shortcomings.

Where does this leave both sides?

Real will be hoping to refocus on the pitch in the coming weeks, but this row shows no sign of a diplomatic resolution. Tebas has never been one to back down from confrontation with the Bernabeu, and Real's statement suggests they are equally unwilling to let the matter rest. Spanish football's internal politics have always been loud; right now, they are deafening.

Frequently asked

Why is Javier Tebas at odds with Real Madrid?
Tebas and Real Madrid have clashed on several occasions, most notably over Real's involvement in the proposed European Super League in 2021. More recently, Tebas criticised the club after they sent a formal complaint letter to the Spanish FA about refereeing standards, and the feud has continued into the current season.
What did Jose Mourinho claim about the Atletico Madrid derby?
After Real's 2-1 defeat to Atletico, Mourinho claimed two Atletico players should have been sent off in the first half. He brought printed screenshots of the incidents to his post-match press conference to illustrate his argument that officials had made critical errors.
Where are Real Madrid in La Liga right now?
Real Madrid are currently fourth in La Liga, six points behind leaders Barcelona, who have won all seven of their league games so far this season.