Supporters associated with the Elche CF Fan Clubs Federation have kept their silence a while ago but now they are loud and clear. They argue that refereeing errors have consistently harmed Elche this season, pointing to a pattern of questionable calls that have influenced results more than once. The federation highlights five penalties in just nine league games as a stark example, along with recent decisions that seemed to tilt match outcomes against Elche. A notable instance involved a 2-3 defeat where a late decision appeared to disallow a goal that could have changed the course of the game. They also reference a crucial spot kick awarded to Mallorca against a direct rival, a moment many fans believed further disappointed the team and its ambitions. Taken together, these incidents are portrayed as a recurring obstacle that has kept Elche from adding points at a rate fans expected and deserved.
Following a meeting at Mestalla, Elche supporters issued a firm statement of disapproval. They expressed frustration with what they described as persistent arbitration pressure against their club, stressing that the actions by the officiating panel and the use of VAR have been difficult to justify and have produced what they view as mindless and incomprehensible calls. The statement underscored that these decisions have had a tangible, negative effect on Elche CF and its supporters. The federation called on the Referee Committee, along with the national federation and the league, to acknowledge the severity of these problems and to offer a concrete solution that would restore fairness and calm to a club with a long and storied history. The tone was clear: the league’s governance bodies must address the ongoing issues that continue to inflame a passionate fan base.
In the wake of those concerns, the federation took the protest onto the public stage with a planned visual display during a high-profile match. On Wednesday evening, as Real Madrid took on Elche, banners bearing messages such as a call for accountability for refereeing and boos directed at the arbitration group were unveiled by the supporters. The banners carried phrases that urged reflection on the state of officiating and called for change. In addition, a moment of collective sound was planned around the 12th minute of the match as a symbolic signal of the supporters’ anger. The club supporters explained that this organized expression was meant to convey the strong feelings felt by those who passionately back Elche CF and who have seen the team’s hopes tempered by decisions made off the ball. The rhetoric behind the action emphasized the desire for a fair playing field and the belief that consistent refereeing standards are essential for any club to compete on equal terms.
The stadium at Martínez Valero is expected to be near capacity for the clash with Real Madrid, with cameras set to capture moments that will reach viewers across multiple continents. The global broadcast means the protest will have resonance beyond the local stadium, underscoring the international attention around decisions that impact a club with a long tradition in Spanish football. Fans hope that the visibility will add pressure on the match officials, including Gil Manzano, the central referee assigned to the game, to adhere to higher standards of consistency and transparency. The objective is not to demean referees but to prompt a constructive review that ensures fairness in future fixtures. By turning a difficult moment into a public call for accountability, the Elche CF community seeks a more predictable and just environment where every point on the table reflects true performance rather than peripheral judgments.