Luis Medina Cantalejo, against Real Madrid TV: “Videos are even made of Castilla, it is not positive to put pressure on the referee before the match”

Luis Medina Cantalejo, president of the Technical Committee of Referees, appeared before the media this Wednesday to evaluate the work of the referees and give a verdict. balance of the first third of the season.

Medina Cantalejo said that they are very “satisfied with the performance” of the Spanish players and assured that “it is not positive to try to put pressure on the referees before the match”, in relation to the videos shown by Real Madrid TV this season broadcast “They captured footage of a referee calling Castilla,” the CTA president even said.

Regarding the ‘Negreira case’, the former Spanish referee pointed out that ‘whoever did this must pay for it’. “Whether it is from the Negreira family or from Barcelona. If there is someone else and the judge has first and last names, let him pay the maximum.”

These are Medina Cantalejo’s most striking statements:

Balance: “Last year we said it was a complicated season. We understood that the referees’ performance could be improved. Now we tell you that we are very satisfied with the performance of our staff. The level of success, and I say this from an impartial point of view and based on statistics, is good. As for the penalties, I think they have been fewer and have been in accordance with the instructions given. The criterion of not issuing sanctions has been strictly followed. Of course there are mistakes. Anyone who tells me that hands have been an issue this season is not following the competition. I think there have been two bad hand signals this season, both from the field and from VAR. Only one glaring error comes to mind. “Things are going well in the region.”

protests: “They have increased in players and decreased in coaches. We have found no argument to know why. We continue to see movement towards the referees. We continue to see how the players try to accompany the referee to the VAR. Warnings for players have increased.”

Expelled for serious foul play: “Last year we were heavily criticized. This year they have risen in the Premier because the injury level has been high. The first function of the referee is to protect the players.”

Meeting with technicians: “That was an internal meeting of the coaches and they invited us. I promised them that 100% of the staff would go and they were there. It was a very positive meeting. It seems like a step forward if the fourth referees explain to them why this review is being done. We told them that as long as the coach behaves in a good manner, they will be told what is happening and they will be judged. Even if there is doubt about a play at the end of the match, the referee will assist if done properly. If you come with respect, we will serve you. Let’s make something clear: Spanish referees have enormous respect for coaches. And they’ve had it since they were little. We’re going to have more meetings. It was positive and interesting. But there will be something we disagree on.”

Real Madrid TV videos: “We have always experienced strong criticism. But it is not positive to put pressure on the referee before the match. Photos are taken of all referees. Images were taken of a number of them when they refereed for Castilla in second B. That is not positive. The referees are ready. Now there are two teams that have started the counter. We don’t like it and it doesn’t seem right to us. I hope you reconsider this course of action. Whatever you tell me, I’m not going to blow the whistle for corners. If there is a problem, they can come and talk to us and we will explain how the VAR works. In this life, things can be done with ethics and respect.”

Lack of self-criticism: “What I said is that we had a season last year that wasn’t good. I said it and I say it again. The level was very good these days. I keep it. If I had to do my job based on comments, I would have a psychological problem. We are happy with the level of our referees. Just as there are attackers who miss scoring opportunities or midfielders who send themselves off the field. Even you are not perfect. “I stand by what I said.”

Accusation about a secret room: “We premiered it with you and LaLiga was here… An inauguration took place. If anyone thinks there is a tunnel we enter to tell him to impose such a punishment, he doesn’t know it. Pull the newspaper library. Coaches don’t need to know how many people there are. There is no secret room.”

The VAR and its audio: “We have studied it. We once made a proposal to listen to everything live during a review. But we have an IFAB regulation that states it can only be used for training. Now it is also said to hold back information, but it is forbidden to let it be live. We met with LaLiga to see what options we have. We’re going to do things so it can be heard. It can also help us clarify certain circumstances. We are taking a step forward. Since Pedro Rocha took charge of the Management Committee, there has been interest in negotiations and things have been done to improve the image of arbitration. There are still many peripheral issues. Later you will criticize it and not attach any value to it, but we are willing to take a step forward.”

Ladies referees: “Last year there was fierce criticism because the referees wanted economic stability and a minimum salary. The level of female referees has made enormous progress. That is thanks to Yolanda Praga.”

The applause in the Luis Rubiales Assembly: “We went through a very difficult time in this house. I was in Sydney. On the day of the General Assembly there was a preliminary meeting of the territorial presidents. When they came to the living room, many of us asked what happened. Everyone had the feeling that Luis would resign. After that moment there was a feeling of ‘what happened?’ It is not my role to express political opinions. What I had to talk to Rubiales about, I have already done. I have never made grandiose statements. I always meet to discuss arbitration. What I have done is put my position at Rocha’s disposal. I did it again on the Board of Directors. My understanding is that this had to happen when the person who gave you trust left. And I’m still here.”

Accusation by the judge of the ‘Negreira Case’ that there could be a group of corrupt referees: “Since this case came to light, the surprise has been enormous. We have provided all information and more from the Public Prosecution Service. We must respect Judge Aguirre’s order. But I don’t share it. Speaking of indications… What we want is for it to be resolved as quickly as possible. Whoever did it must pay for it. Whether it is from the Negreira family or from Barcelona. If there is someone else and the judge has first and last names, let him pay the maximum amount. We are the ones most interested. Our professional referees are protected, but those at another level experience being called Negreira. We hope that the guilty parties will pay. “He caused a lot of damage to the referees.”

Public complaints from David López: “I’m not here to evaluate behavior. When the player made these statements, I called Alberto and Carlos to find out if he was disrespecting the player or not. It looked like it was rehearsed… He took out a card and said, ‘Lower my arms.’ If our referee insults him, he goes to the street. “If that insult happens, Ortiz Arias would not be part of the refereeing team.”

Press conference of the referees after the matches: “No. The referee doesn’t come out after the match. “You’re not going to treat him the same as the players.”

Florentino Pérez asked the government to reform arbitration: “We respect everyone. His partners will be happy with what he said in the Assembly, we will not. I don’t think it is a positive thing if arbitration requires government intervention. Does this mean they’ll throw us out? Don’t know”.

Florentino’s doubts about how the lines are drawn: “There is a video from Clos Gómez on YouTube that explains it. We will soon have the semi-automatic. They will make it sharper.”

Absence of Rafa Benítez and Carlo Ancelotti in the coaches meeting: “Ask them. We were invited and we all went. It was a very nice opportunity to talk. I have a good relationship with Benítez. There is no problem. I can understand that they are angry. It was a good moment to to be there… We have been there and we have delivered. If Ancelotti didn’t want to be there, he will have his reasons.”