La Liga president Javier Tebas has criticised Real Madrid’s approach to refereeing controversy following a fiery Madrid derby, accusing the club of putting unfair pressure on match officials.

The fallout from the latest Madrid derby has continued long after the final whistle.

Several refereeing decisions dominated the post-match conversation, with Real Madrid unhappy with a number of calls during the clash.

But while La Liga president Javier Tebas acknowledged that clubs have every right to question decisions, he took particular issue with the way Real Madrid have voiced their complaints.

For Tebas, the debate goes beyond individual decisions and into the wider relationship between clubs, referees and the officials responsible for overseeing matches.

Tebas Criticises Real Madrid's Approach

Tebas made clear that he understood Real Madrid’s frustration with some of the decisions during the derby.

However, he drew a distinction between questioning an official’s decisions and what he considers to be an organised campaign against referees.

“I understand the complaints, but not the manner in which they were made.”

The La Liga president also rejected the suggestion that the controversial decisions alone determined the outcome of the match.

“Real Madrid didn't lose because of those plays.”

His comments come amid a long-running dispute between La Liga and Real Madrid Television over the club's coverage of refereeing decisions.

The channel has previously been criticised for segments examining officials before and after matches, with Tebas arguing that such coverage can create additional pressure around referees.

The Real Madrid TV Controversy

The argument has now extended beyond the match itself.

Atletico Madrid added to the post-match discussion by publishing a message on social media calling for an end to what it described as referee harassment.

Tebas said he had not seen Atletico's specific post but used the opportunity to reiterate his concerns about Real Madrid Television.

“We denounced the conduct of Real Madrid Television some time ago and, after yesterday, we must continue with ethics.”

He described the approach as an “unfair and cruel way to pressure the referee”.

The comments highlight the increasingly heated relationship between Spanish football's biggest clubs and match officials, with refereeing decisions often becoming a major talking point long after matches have finished.

Huijsen Red Card Defended

One of the most contentious moments of the derby involved Huijsen's dismissal.

While Los Blancos protested the decision, Tebas was unequivocal in his assessment.

“A red card that was definitely a red, that of Huijsen.”

His view was considerably different on another incident involving Cuti Romero and Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid players and staff called for the Argentine defender to receive a red card, but Tebas did not agree.

“The other one wasn't a red card. You could see he made contact with the ball first.”

The contrasting incidents demonstrate why refereeing remains such a difficult subject in football.

Even with VAR available, individual decisions continue to generate disagreement between players, managers, clubs and supporters.

What About The Kang-in Lee Challenge?

Another flashpoint involved Federico Valverde and Kang-in Lee.

The South Korean international appeared to catch Valverde on the ankle with his studs during the challenge.

Despite the nature of the tackle, referee Ortiz Arias did not show a card and the VAR team did not recommend an on-field review.

Tebas admitted that the incident could reasonably have resulted in a more serious punishment.

“A red could be given, it could look like a red, and if you give it, nothing happens.”

However, he also acknowledged the speed of the incident and understood why the officials reached their decision.

“The play was so fast that I understand what happened and that's it.”

A Bigger Debate For Spanish Football

The latest Madrid derby has once again placed refereeing at the centre of Spanish football's attention.

For Real Madrid, the focus has been on decisions they believe went against them.

For Tebas, however, the issue is broader.

His comments suggest that the debate is increasingly about how clubs express their frustration and the potential consequences of sustained criticism of match officials.

With Real Madrid Television continuing to scrutinise refereeing decisions and rival clubs also entering the conversation, the dispute is unlikely to disappear quickly.

The challenge for Spanish football will be finding a balance between legitimate criticism of officiating and protecting referees from excessive pressure.

For now, the Madrid derby has left behind another controversy — and another public disagreement between Real Madrid and the leadership of La Liga.