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La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused Real Madrid of empty threats when it comes to raising doubts about their continued participation in Spanish football.
Madrid have been infuriated by their perceived unfair treatment at the hands of La Liga referees in recent months. The club sent an angry letter to Spain’s football federation (RFEF) in the wake of a shock 1-0 defeat to Espanyol at the start of February.
There has since been further displeasure with officiating in subsequent games against Atletico Madrid and Osasuna. In the latter fixture, Jude Bellingham was sent off in the first half for allegedly directing abusive language towards the referee and has been banned for two games. The midfielder claims his anger was at himself and the exact nature of what he said was misheard.
At the start of this week, it was suggested that Madrid have been considering ways to leave La Liga and Spanish football altogether. But it would be a massively complicated process requiring approval from multiple football authorities and a welcoming host league.
“It’s a hoax,” said Tebas, plain and simple, when speaking at an event in southern Spain, Los Desayunos de La Cronica de Badajoz.
“It’s impossible and they themselves know it. There is a sports law that says that Spanish clubs must play in national competitions on an obligatory basis. [The threat] is used to reaffirm the strategy they are following,” he added.
“Which league are they going to go to?”
Carlo Ancelotti suggested ahead of this week’s Champions League victory over Manchester City that Madrid are happier with the standard of officiating in European competitions.
But Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal gave everyone a lesson with his mature outlook on the situation, amid claims that Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also harshly treated.
“The thing is that I think that lately almost everything is questioned. It’s a very difficult job because someone will always complain,” the 17-year-old said.