“The portaCOCes and the regime’s television channel are already starting to build the usual narrative: permanent conspiracy. If it’s not Negreira, it’s the referee; if not that, then the complaint is that he isn’t an international referee. All clubs can be officiated by both international referees and those who are not. No one has the right to tailor-made refereeing.

But this article goes even further: it claims that referees harm ‘the business that feeds them.’ What exactly is being asked for? That matches be refereed according to revenue, TV ratings, or the badge on the shirt? What a way to understand equality in competition.

Real Madrid is hugely important to LaLiga. But claiming that ‘LaLiga is worth nothing’ without them shows contempt for the other clubs, their fans, and their history. The competition does not belong to anyone.

To maintain that the referees are acting against Real Madrid is to live in another galaxy. That narrative serves as an excuse to cover up other shortcomings that are plain to see in these first matches of the season. It is easier to point to a conspiracy than to explain what is happening on the pitch.

And my position does not depend on any office: a refereeing mistake does not prove a conspiracy, nor does repeating it for years make it true.

TAKE OFF THE BLINDFOLD! It’s only September and they are already claiming the league is rigged. No one with any common sense believes that same old excuse anymore.”