Real Madrid among one of several La Liga clubs who have complained about the standard of refereeing
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced major changes to its refereeing leadership as part of a push to modernise and improve officiating across the country. On Thursday, the RFEF confirmed it has parted ways with Luis Medina Cantalejo, head of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), and Carlos Clos Gómez, who was in charge of VAR.
“This decision reflects the desire to open a new era in the field of refereeing, in line with the work carried out by the refereeing system reform group, which includes representatives from the refereeing community, professional clubs, and the Federation itself,” the RFEF said in a statement.
Both men have been thanked for their “professionalism and commitment”, but their exits follow a season of heavy criticism from La Liga clubs, especially Real Madrid, who have publicly questioned the standard of refereeing.
Madrid’s club-run channel, Real Madrid TV, has regularly broadcast video segments analysing refereeing mistakes in matches involving the club. In February, the club went as far as filing an official complaint to both the RFEF and Spain’s High Sports Council (CSD), accusing officials of “manipulation and adulteration” after a controversial 1-0 defeat to Espanyol.
Medina Cantalejo had been in charge of the CTA since December 2021, overseeing referees during a particularly sensitive period that included the ongoing fallout from the Negreira case, a major scandal that saw Barcelona accused of making payments totalling over €7 million to companies linked to Jose María Enríquez Negreira, then vice-president of the CTA.
Clos Gomez, a former referee himself, was head of VAR operations and had also come under fire during a season filled with debatable decisions and growing discontent among clubs in La Liga.
The RFEF said the change was part of a wider review process. It promised that it was focused on creating “space for dialogue and proposals”, which it said has “helped lay the foundations for a more modern, efficient model adapted to the current needs of Spanish football”.
