By Martin Graham | seventh Feb 2025
Actual Madrid has taken an unprecedented step by submitting a proper criticism concerning refereeing requirements in Spanish soccer. The criticism, despatched to the Spanish Soccer Federation (RFEF) and Spain’s Excessive Council for Sports activities, follows their 1-0 loss to Espanyol on Saturday.
The match’s solely objective got here from Espanyol’s Carlos Romero, a participant whom Actual Madrid believes ought to have been dismissed earlier within the sport for a problem on Kylian Mbappe. The membership expressed frustration over what they understand as biased officiating, notably from video assistant referees (VAR), stating that the integrity of the competitors is being compromised.
Of their letter, the membership strongly criticized the officers, alleging that selections have been systematically going towards them. They described the present state of refereeing as “manipulated, rigged, and completely discredited.” Their assertion emphasised that the affect of those selections had reached an “insupportable degree” and required instant consideration.
La Liga president dismisses Actual Madrid’s claims
Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, responded to Actual Madrid’s accusations throughout a gathering with league golf equipment, the RFEF, and Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA) on Thursday. The Spanish giants didn’t attend the assembly.
Tebas rejected Actual Madrid’s claims, stating that the membership was trying to wreck the credibility of the league slightly than simply questioning refereeing selections. He accused the membership of making a false narrative to painting themselves as victims and urged that their latest criticism was the end result of an ongoing marketing campaign towards Spanish soccer’s officers.
“The scenario has been exaggerated, they usually have utterly misplaced their sense of purpose,” Tebas remarked. “Soccer is larger than simply Actual Madrid.”
RFEF president has ban overturned
In the meantime, earlier on Thursday, RFEF president Rafael Louzan had his seven-year ban from holding public workplace lifted by Spain’s Supreme Court docket.
Louzan was beforehand dominated towards by a provincial court docket in 2022 for misconduct throughout his time as the pinnacle of Pontevedra Provincial Council. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court docket overturned the ruling, clearing his path to proceed his function in Spanish soccer governance. He was elected as RFEF president in December after being granted the power to run.
Following the court docket’s choice, Louzan referred to as for a brand new period in Spanish soccer. “This marks the start of a distinct chapter. We now have the chance to construct a greater future collectively,” he said.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author
