Why Real Madrid Wants to Leave La Liga

Real Madrid’s frustration with La Liga has reached a boiling point. Accusations of biased refereeing, conflicts with league president Javier Tebas, and dissatisfaction with the overall structure of Spanish football have led the club to consider an unprecedented move—leaving La Liga for another European league or even a breakaway competition like the European Super League. But how realistic is this scenario, and what are the real reasons behind Madrid’s threats?

The latest wave of discontent stems from a series of controversial refereeing decisions that Real Madrid believes have unfairly influenced their matches. The tipping point came in a recent game against Osasuna, where two clear penalty appeals were ignored, and Jude Bellingham received a direct red card for allegedly insulting the referee. Madrid claims these incidents are not isolated but part of a broader trend of unfavorable officiating. By the way, on Bet9ja, you can check out football predictions and follow Real Madrid matches. Plus, on the Beton.ng portal, you can find a link to Bet9ja Mobile for easy access.

Adding fuel to the fire is the ongoing “Negreira case,” a scandal involving Barcelona’s alleged payments to former refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira. Real Madrid believes this is proof of systemic corruption within Spanish football. Despite the scandal, Madrid argues that La Liga continues to protect its biggest rival while treating them unfairly.

Real Madrid’s issues with La Liga go beyond refereeing. Club president Florentino Pérez has had a tense relationship with league president Javier Tebas for years. The two have clashed over financial regulations, TV rights, and most notably, the European Super League project. While Tebas has aggressively opposed the Super League, Pérez has championed it as the future of club football, positioning Madrid in direct opposition to La Liga’s leadership.

Madrid sees Tebas as an obstacle to modernizing Spanish football and believes his policies restrict the club’s financial and competitive ambitions. The situation escalated when Tebas openly criticized Real Madrid’s claims of referee bias, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated.

Despite the rhetoric, leaving La Liga is far from simple. FIFA and UEFA regulations prevent clubs from unilaterally switching leagues. Even if Madrid were to receive an invitation from another country’s league—such as the Premier League, Serie A, or Bundesliga—they would need approval from multiple governing bodies. Additionally, La Liga itself would have to agree to let its most valuable asset leave, which is highly unlikely given the financial impact Madrid’s departure would have on the league.

The most plausible alternative is the Super League. The project, initially proposed in 2021, has been revived in a new form, promising a more competitive structure and financial independence from UEFA. If Madrid truly wants to escape Tebas’s influence, pushing for the Super League’s creation might be their best option.

Madrid’s threats to leave La Liga should be seen as strategic rather than imminent. By raising the stakes, Pérez is applying pressure on Tebas and the league’s refereeing body. The goal is likely to force reforms rather than execute a drastic departure. However, the club’s continued pursuit of the Super League suggests that in the long term, Madrid may be willing to explore alternatives to La Liga if their grievances remain unresolved.

For now, a departure remains unlikely. But with every controversial decision and every new conflict with La Liga’s leadership, the idea of Real Madrid playing in a different league—or even leading a new one—becomes less unthinkable.