Speaking in an interview with the club’s official media, Atletico Madrid CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin has taken aim at both Real Madrid and Barcelona, accusing them of unfairly criticizing referees despite, in his view, being the main beneficiaries of officiating decisions.
Discussing the competitive landscape in Spanish football, Gil Marin argued that Atleti have established themselves as the clear third force in La Liga while continuing to chase the country’s traditional giants.
“They force us to be better”
Gil Marin acknowledged the financial and sporting gap between Atletico and Real Madrid and Barcelona but insisted the challenge has pushed his club to improve.
“The truth is, that forces us to be better, it forces us to compete differently, it forces us to constantly strive harder,” he said.
Enrique Cerezo, Atletico Madrid president
Atletico Madrid have fired shots at Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
He added that the Rojiblancos have gradually separated themselves from the rest of La Liga and now sit much closer to Spain’s traditional powerhouses than to the remaining clubs.
“The truth is, a while ago there was Real Madrid and Barcelona, and then there was a group of 7, 8, or 9 clubs,” Gil Marin noted.
“Today, we’ve distanced ourselves from practically everyone, and we’re, I don’t know if in no man’s land, but we’re closer to the two giants than to the others.”
Strong criticism over referee treatment
The Atletico executive was particularly outspoken when discussing refereeing.
❝No deja de ser sonrojante que dos clubes, que permanentemente y con las herramientas que tienen para ejercer presión, se quejen de los arbitrajes cuando son los principales beneficiados❞.
— Miguel Ángel Gil 🎙️
📹⏯️ https://t.co/XPYEMsIPCx pic.twitter.com/XBOKGC06T4
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) July 17, 2026
Gil Marin described it as “shameful” that Real Madrid and Barcelona continue to complain publicly about officiating despite the influence they possess.
“It is quite embarrassing that two clubs that constantly complain about refereeing decisions, due to pressure exerted directly by the media or through the tools they have at their disposal, are the main beneficiaries,” he said.
He also made it clear that Atletico have no intention of remaining silent on the issue.
“We have made it clear that we will not remain silent, that we will continue to protest, whether ironically or seriously, but we will not remain silent, because we find it completely deplorable that these two big clubs are doing what they are doing.”
The comments come amidst Real Madrid and Barcelona’s ongoing war over the Negreira case.
It also adds another chapter to the growing tension between Atletico and Spain’s two biggest clubs, with Gil Marin once again accusing both Real Madrid and Barcelona of using their influence to shape the public narrative around refereeing decisions.