Rubén Uría analyzes the measures and controls that would strengthen the credibility of arbitration.
Before the Negreira affair drew wide attention, many fans suspected that football’s integrity could fracture under money’s influence. Now, after the debate surrounding the Negreira case, concerns have intensified. As public judgment presses for accountability and justice upholds the principle of innocence until proven guilt, the shadow of suspicion spreads across the sport. This is why Spanish football needs fresh rules and tighter controls to restore trust in the refereeing corps and the arbitration process that governs it.
For years, fans and reporters have repeated a familiar refrain: you should never doubt the fairness of referees. That stance misses the mark. People deserve the belief that officials act with honesty, just as readers expect honesty from journalists, politicians, service workers, and retailers. Referees are fallible humans, not infallible icons, and like journalists they are influenced by perspective. Therefore, the goal must be more than faith; it must be supported by robust mechanisms that preserve independence, boost credibility, and shield officials from conflicts of interest or corruption risks. If football wants to protect the purity of competition, it must adopt new, transparent measures.
Referees are professionals who earn substantial salaries and operate within a technology-enabled framework. They require clear, actionable protocols to counter any suspicion. First, it is essential to clarify who appoints referees, how the appointments are made, where decisions occur, and on what criteria those decisions rely. The return of a computer-assisted designation approach could offer a more transparent and consistent basis than current subjective criteria. Second, establishing an independent VAR body, separate from the refereeing group, would be a major step. A model similar to those seen in major leagues, with former officials or players, would standardize selection and reduce day-to-day variability. This separation would also curb the system where referees act as owners or representatives within a closed network, which breeds conflicts of interest and undermines public trust.
Another pivotal reform would be to make the independent VAR body’s dialogues and decisions during matches public. The transparency would prevent biased readings of arbitration outcomes. Even if debates continue around the frequency of VAR interruptions, public decision-making would enhance credibility. The VAR should be viewed not merely as a tool to minimize errors but as a mechanism that strengthens the integrity of competition. The less the VAR intersects with the Referees Technical Committee, the clearer the boundary and the greater the sense of independence. The current framework fails to guarantee true autonomy and sometimes enables informal favoritism within the officiating ranks.
Additionally, all hand and penalty rulings need thorough standardization. There is confusion about what constitutes a hand as well as what is permissible within the box. Players, coaches, fans, and even referees would benefit from a unified, clearly defined set of guidelines. The credibility of the competition depends on how consistently these rules are applied. Regardless of the Negreira affair, Spanish football should rethink the arbitration structure, implement new norms, and foster a renewed spirit that rejects cynicism. The sport must move toward clarity and accountability, leaving behind a culture of mutual suspicion and ambiguity. Only then can fans regain confidence in the fairness of the game.
In this context, the ongoing debate about arbitration in football is more than a procedural issue. It touches the core of competitive integrity, trust in officials, and the sport’s social license to operate. A credible system is not about policing every moment but about building a framework where decisions are transparent, reasons are explained, and independence is protected. The goal is a football culture where integrity is the default, suspicion is minimized, and the spectacle remains keenly valued by supporters across the country.