According to Diario Sport, Real Madrid is contemplating the possibility of joining the French, German, or Italian leagues due to ongoing disagreements with La Liga referees.

“Real Madrid’s leaders are fed up with the referees’ oppression,” the Sport article states. “La Liga and its president Javier Tebas have become enemies of Real. This has intensified fans’ calls for the team to exit La Liga soon.”

Real Madrid players disappointed during the match against Espanyol at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, in La Liga on February 1, 2025. Photo: AP

Sport, a leading sports newspaper in Spain based in Barcelona, reports that this is not the first time a Barcelona-affiliated paper has suggested Real’s desire to leave La Liga; similar rumors surfaced in 2017 and 2021. At those times, President Florentino Perez was reportedly interested in moving Real to the Premier League or establishing a Super League.

This time, the Catalan publication claims that the reigning Champions League champions are looking to switch to Ligue 1, Bundesliga, or Serie A. “However, making this happen is quite complicated and not likely in the short term,” the article adds. “Real would need approval from FIFA, UEFA, and the new federation. Moreover, Real and UEFA are currently at odds over the Super League issue.”

Whichever league accepts Real would see an increase in its appeal, as they are the most successful club in Europe, boasting 15 UEFA Champions League titles. Hence, media speculation about this possibility remains alive.

One reason for Real’s desire to leave La Liga is related to refereeing issues. On February 4, the club sent a letter to the Spanish Football Federation and higher authorities to complain about officiating mistakes that have disadvantaged Real. In the four-page letter, the club stated that “the refereeing system has completely lost credibility due to manipulation and dishonesty that cannot be overlooked.”

Real is also frustrated that the Negreira case remains unresolved. This case revealed that Barcelona transferred $1.5 million to the vice president of the Spanish refereeing committee between 2016 and 2018. During this period, Real won the Champions League three times, while Barcelona secured La Liga twice.