LaLiga Reveals Results Of Damning Survey Of Clubs On Refereeing Standards

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding refereeing in Spanish soccer, LaLiga has published the results of a survey which was shared with its 42 clubs across Primera and Segunda División. In it, findings including some damning views on the criteria used by referees.

A stunning 100% of responding clubs stated that their players and staff “do not understand the handball rules” while 86% are unclear on “when VAR will or will not intervene”. It reflects a trend in the game with refereeing decisions being heavily criticized in recent weeks.

Amid the ‘Negreira Case’, where Barcelona are accused of making payments to José María Enríquez Negreira, the former vice president of the Technical Refereeing Committee, criticism of referees has never been stronger.

It has led to calls for greater transparency, and clubs have shown a strong statement backing that. 90% of LaLiga clubs believe that referees should explain controversial decisions at the end of each match, with images and audio recordings of VAR interactions made public.

Support for a new organizational model

Among the points highlighted by LaLiga was wide-ranging support for a new approach to the organization of referees in Spain. A vast majority, at 88% of LaLiga clubs, support the establishment of a group independent of the RFEF which has its own management of refereeing within Spanish soccer.

They cite similar models which have been implemented abroad. England were the first to take this approach, setting up Professional Game Match Officials Limited in 2001 to become one of the first such groups of its kind. MLS followed suit in 2012 and Germany made the transition only last year.

This would also be backed by one of the harshest responses, as 71% of respondents stated that the amount paid to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for refereeing services by LaLiga and its clubs “does not correspond to the quality of the services provided”.

If there was some saving grace for referees, it was that one of LaLiga’s most controversial proposals only gained a slight majority as a proposed variable remuneration system based upon performance was only backed by 59% of clubs.

Referees calls for support

The results of this survey reflect just the latest attack from LaLiga on the refereeing group and its officials in an ongoing political battle between Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, and Luis Rubiales, president of the RFEF.

“We, the professional referees of Spanish soccer, would like to express our deep concern about the unfortunate situation that has arisen around the group that we represent and that is being promoted from different fronts of professional soccer in what we consider to be a perfectly measured and organised campaign,” a statement published by Spanish referees through the RFEF stated.

“We, the referees of the First and Second Division, ask LaLiga and its leaders for respect and institutional responsibility in the face of an unprecedented event in Spanish soccer,” it continued, with many taking the statement to be akin to a threat to consider a strike in the near future.

“The leaders of La Liga cannot permanently lament a reputational crisis in Spanish football and at the same time collaborate in generating it through a call for tension and violence against referees in a maneuver that only leads to the devaluation of our football and its social discredit.”