LaLiga president Javier Tebas has called claims of a refereeing conspiracy against Real Madrid "a smokescreen to hide other shortcomings" after the team's defeat to Atletico Madrid in Sunday's derby.
Coach José Mourinho said Madrid were denied "two clear red cards" in the game at the Metropolitano -- bringing a printout of photos of the incidents to his post-match news conference -- and alleged referee Miguel Ortiz Arias "couldn't cope with the pressure" of the high-profile fixture due to a lack of experience.
"I don't want to say this was prepared -- I want to think they were mistakes," Mourinho said, after a result which left Madrid six points behind Barcelona in the title race, adding that "if they let us compete on an even playing field, there's a long way left."
Tebas, who has frequently clashed with Madrid and club president Florentino Perez, commented on the debate on social media on Tuesday, while sharing an article which claimed "Real Madrid's enemies" were responsible for the team's struggles in LaLiga.
"The usual mouthpieces and the regime-aligned media are already spinning the same old narrative: the permanent conspiracy, Tebas posted on X. "When it isn't the Negreira case, it's the referee; or else, the complaint is that the official isn't an international-level referee."
"To maintain that referees are conspiring against Real Madrid is to live in another galaxy," Tebas continued. "That narrative serves as a smokescreen to hide other shortcomings that are plain to see in these opening matches of the season. It is easier to point to a conspiracy than to explain what is actually happening on the pitch.
"A refereeing error does not prove a conspiracy, nor does repeating the claim for years make it true. TIME TO TAKE OFF THE BLINDERS! It is only September, and they are already claiming the league is tainted. No one with common sense buys that old excuse anymore."
With seven games played, Madrid are already six points behind Barcelona, after losing at Real Betis and then in Sunday's derby.
Los Blancos have since responded to Tebas' remarks and appeared to question Tebas' suitability for the role as LaLiga president.
"Our club considers it intolerable for the LaLiga president to use his institutional position to repeatedly disparage and attack Real Madrid in the manner he does during his public statements.
"It is deeply concerning that the person responsible for representing and protecting the interests of all LaLiga clubs remains obsessed with targeting Real Madrid, making our club a constant object of his public attacks."
"Given this persistent and inappropriate behavior, we believe that professional football in Spain urgently needs a leader capable of managing the competition and unlocking its full potential while upholding the fundamental duty of neutrality.
"It requires someone who understands the nature of the role; the LaLiga president is not the owner of the competition, but an administrator serving the clubs that comprise it and have entrusted him with its leadership. The clubs need someone who will honestly serve this mission."
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By contrast, Barça have maximum points, having scored 31 goals in seven matches.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente -- who agreed a contract extension until 2032 on Monday -- was asked about the controversy on radio station Cadena Ser.
"I don't believe any of that," De la Fuente said, when asked about suggestions of a conspiracy. "If I believed in that, in such manipulation, I'd be better off going home, or we all would. And if someone believes it and has proof, then they should present that proof.
"But if we thought that, what would be the point? What would we be doing here? We'd just be wasting our time. That isn't my attitude towards life, or towards sport. I've lost, sometimes a lot, and I've won at other times. And I've never thought there was some hidden hand pulling the strings.
"I understand that refereeing is very difficult," the coach added. "I'm always in favour of VAR. VAR is here to help. It isn't infallible, and if someone makes a mistake, well, it's not the end of the world. You acknowledge the mistake and move on... Let's drop the conspiracy theories, please.
"I never harbour doubts, because I believe in the honesty of everyone involved in the world of football. I believe in the honesty of referees, players, coaches, and the press."