Tebas fires back at Mourinho's referee complaints after derby loss: "Living on another planet"

Lose a derby and suddenly the conversation stops being about the scoreline. Atletico Madrid's 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Metropolitano became the spark for a controversy that's familiar from past seasons: the supposed referee plot against the Whites. This time it was LaLiga president Javier Tebas himself who stepped in to shut it down.

It all started with Jose Mourinho. The coach claimed his team was denied "two clear red cards" during the match and showed up to his press conference with printed photos of the incidents to back up his complaint. According to Mourinho, referee Miguel Ortiz Arias "couldn't handle the pressure" of such a high stakes game due to lack of experience.

I don't want to say this was set up, I want to think these were mistakes. If they let us compete on equal terms, there's still a long way to go.Jose Mourinho

The loss leaves Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona in the title race, after also falling on the road against Betis. Barcelona, meanwhile, arrives at this point in the season with a perfect record and an eye catching number: 31 goals in seven matches.

Tebas didn't let the issue slide, responding Tuesday on social media by sharing an article that framed Real Madrid's stumbles in LaLiga around the idea of "enemies of Real Madrid."

The usual voices and outlets aligned with the establishment are already pushing the same old narrative: the permanent conspiracy. When it's not the Negreira case, it's the referee, or if not that, the complaint is that the official isn't up to international standard.Javier Tebas

Tebas, who has clashed before with Real Madrid and with Florentino Perez, went even further, calling the conspiracy theory a smokescreen.

Claiming that referees are conspiring against Real Madrid is like living on another planet. That story works as a smokescreen to cover up other shortcomings that are plain to see in these opening matches of the season. It's easier to point to a conspiracy than to explain what's really happening on the field.Javier Tebas

Tebas went further still, closing with a line that's already making the rounds: "A refereeing mistake doesn't prove a conspiracy, and repeating the accusation for years doesn't make it true." He added, sounding fed up: "It's about time to take off the blindfold! It's barely September and they're already saying the league is rigged. Nobody with common sense buys that tired excuse."

De la Fuente also weighed in

Spain's national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, who just signed a contract extension through 2032, was asked about the controversy on Cadena Ser and gave a blunt answer.

I don't believe any of that. If I believed in that kind of manipulation, I'd be better off going home, or we'd all be better off going home. And if someone believes it and has proof, let them show it. But if we thought that way, what would be the point? What would we even be doing here? We'd be wasting our time. That's not my attitude toward life or toward sport. I've lost, sometimes badly, and I've also won. And I've never thought there was a hidden hand pulling the strings.Luis de la Fuente

The coach also made clear his support for VAR: "I understand that refereeing is very difficult. I'm always in favor of VAR. VAR is there to help. It's not infallible, and if someone makes a mistake, well, the world doesn't end. You acknowledge the error and move on... Let's leave the conspiracy theories aside, please." He wrapped up with a thought that captures the moment well: "I never have doubts, because I believe in the honesty of everyone who's part of the football world. I believe in the honesty of the referees, the players, the coaches and the press."