Real Madrid Push for Refereeing Changes in La Liga

Club President Florentino Pérez Expresses Frustration Over Officiating Standards

Real Madrid has reportedly requested significant changes to refereeing in La Liga, expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of officiating in Spain’s top flight. According to Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Pedro Rocha Louzán, club president Florentino Pérez personally raised concerns about refereeing decisions that he believes have cost Madrid crucial titles.

Speaking on El Chiringuito, Louzán revealed that Pérez approached him during the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia last year. “He took me aside and said, ‘You have to resolve this issue with the referees because it’s hurting us. We’ve lost many titles because of them,’” Louzán recounted.

Madrid, currently leading La Liga by five points, has been vocal about its displeasure with officiating standards. Pérez even suggested bringing in English referees to officiate Spanish matches as a possible solution. “He told me one day that he wanted to bring English referees. I told him, well, let’s see how we do it then,” Louzán said.

English referees have previously taken charge of games in Saudi Arabia, with Premier League official Michael Oliver overseeing an Al Nassr vs. Al Hilal match for a reported £3,000 fee, along with business-class travel. However, England’s referee governing body, PGMOL, has since restricted officials from taking such overseas assignments unless deemed a development opportunity.

Despite Madrid’s frustrations, referees in England have also faced intense scrutiny, particularly regarding the use of VAR. Oliver himself was at the center of controversy in a recent Arsenal vs. Wolves match, where he sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly. The red card was later overturned, but not before Oliver received online abuse and even death threats.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta condemned the backlash, calling for an end to such behavior. “We need to eradicate this,” Arteta stated.

With Pérez’s persistence on the issue, it remains to be seen whether La Liga will consider changes to officiating or if Madrid’s complaints will fall on deaf ears.

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