Real Madrid Demand Javier Tebas Step Down as LaLiga President After Atletico Derby Defeat
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Real Madrid issued a public statement on 22 September calling for Javier Tebas to step down as LaLiga president, accusing him of using "his institutional position to keep disqualifying and attacking Real Madrid" and arguing Spanish football "urgently needs a leader capable of managing the competition with the basic duty of neutrality." The club stressed that the league president "is not the owner of the competition, but a manager at the service of the clubs that make it up," according to Infobae; Tebas has given no indication of resigning and remains in his post.
The statement followed Atletico Madrid's 2-1 win over 10-man Real Madrid in the Madrid derby on 20 September at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where Dean Huijsen was sent off for a first-half penalty foul on Giuliano Simeone. Alejandro Grimaldo converted the resulting penalty and Jonathan David added a second before Antonio Rudiger's late goal proved insufficient for Real Madrid.
Spain's disciplinary committee subsequently handed Huijsen a one-match ban, ruling the red card correct and confirming he will miss Real Madrid's fixture against Villarreal on 10 October; Mourinho's assistant Pedro Machado was also sent off during the derby and received the same one-match suspension, according to Yahoo Sports.
Barcelona sit top of LaLiga with 21 points from seven wins and 31 goals scored, five points clear of the field, putting Hansi Flick's side on course to break a points-based record set during a previous Real Madrid title run under Jose Mourinho, according to Yahoo Sports. Real Madrid dropped to fourth place following the derby defeat.
Transfer and squad notes
Real Madrid are in advanced talks over a new contract for Jude Bellingham that would extend his deal to 2031 or beyond, according to multiple reports including Managing Madrid, with an announcement possible before the international break ends. Bellingham, who joined in 2023 on a contract otherwise due to expire in 2029, has scored twice and added two assists in five league appearances this season.
What it means for the league
Real Madrid's public clash with Tebas adds an unusually political dimension to a season already complicated by a derby defeat and a growing gap to Barcelona at the top of the table. With Huijsen suspended for the Villarreal match and Barcelona chasing a historic points tally, Mourinho faces pressure both on and off the pitch just weeks into his return, while Bellingham's expected new deal offers the club at least one piece of stable, positive news heading into October.