The Spanish referees voiced their deep concern after a troubling sequence of events that raised alarms within the football community. The complaint emerges amid a string of public statements from various LaLiga clubs criticizing refereeing decisions, alongside serious incidents such as an assault on a teammate in Ceuta. In a measured message, the referees acknowledged the ongoing pressure while lamenting the hostile environment and the persistent attacks they face from factions within the sport. They emphasized the need to protect the integrity of officiating and the safety of all officials, stressing that harassment and targeted hostility have no place in the game.
| Professional arbitration statement
https://t.co/4FY0jXnpfd pic.twitter.com/qx3Mx0HNwv
— CTA (@CTARFEF) April 18, 2023
From the CTA, attention was drawn to a video featuring Luis Gil, the director of LaLiga Competitions, where the aim appeared to be to highlight and caricature refereeing actions. The message conveyed in the clip suggested that such portrayals distort official decisions and undermine the professional standing of arbitration. In response, the referees from the first and second divisions called for respect and corporate responsibility in the wake of an unprecedented incident in Spanish football that demanded a clear, proportionate response from all involved parties.
They also clarified the structure behind referee appointments. The CTA stated that it does not appoint arbiters directly; instead, the assignment is handled by a body known as the CACP (Appointment Committee), which includes a member from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), a representative from La Liga, and a third member chosen by consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, the committee appoints through an agreement with the national sports council. Antonio Jesus Lopez Nieto asserted a contrasting view, explaining that appointments for the past sixteen years were carried out under a different understanding and insisting that the prevailing narrative had been inaccurate. He called for referees to be reinstated and for football credibility to be restored, citing a need for transparency and accountability within the referee system.
In light of all statements from the referees, the message is clear: the focus must remain on fair play and on defending the integrity of competition. The referees urged stakeholders to consider the broader consequences of continued unrest, warning that escalating tensions could force swift and drastic measures that would directly impact the quality and scheduling of league matches. The overarching goal is to safeguard legitimate competitive conditions and prevent further misfortunes from shaping the trajectory of Spanish football.