'Built a story of victimhood' - La Liga chief blasts Real Madrid for referee complaints | OneFootball

La Liga president Javier Tebas has issued a stinging criticism of Real Madrid after they sent a formal letter of complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over the standard of refereeing.

Madrid were incensed by Alejandro Muniz Ruiz's failure to send off Espanyol defender Carlos Romero for a cynical tackle on Kylian Mbappe last Sunday, with insult added to injury when the accused scored the winning goal five minutes from time.

The 15-time Champions League winners were so outraged that they accused officials of "manipulation" and "double standards" in an astonishing letter send to Spain's equivalent of the Football Association.

"What happened at the RCDE Stadium represents the culmination of a completely discredited refereeing system, in which decisions against Real Madrid have reached a level of manipulation and adulteration of the competition that can no longer be ignored," the La Liga's holder statement read.

""The two most serious refereeing decisions in this match have once again revealed the double standards with which Real Madrid is refereed."

Their actions have drawn intense criticism from Tebas, who has often butted heads with both Real Madrid and Barcelona in the past. Speaking at a meeting attended by La Liga clubs, the RFEF and officials from the refereeing committee (CTA), he vented: "Real Madrid wants to harm the competition, not just the refereeing group.

Tebas has been left unimpressed by Real Madrid's actions - not for the first time / AFP7/GettyImages

"They have built a story of victimhood and I think the cherry on top was the letter they published the other day. The issue has been blown out of proportion, they have lost their head. Football doesn't revolve around Real Madrid."

Madrid's actions have also drawn criticism from legendary Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, with the retired 38-year-old taking aim at what he perceives to be continuous deflection whenever the club are defeated.

"The statement is a complete smokescreen because they have been doing it for 120 years and when they lose they have to talk about something else, because that is what they want," Pique said.

"The referees' conversation will always exist and this is what they have always done in Madrid, turning on the 'machinery' when things are not going well and we are used to it."