Real Madrid, Barcelona in favour of implementing an independent and transparent refereeing model

It shows that La Liga and its clubs reach agreements with other important players in the sector when they are reasonable and seek to improve the quality and competitiveness of football.

The relationship with AFE is developing and will evolve in a modern trade union environment, away from the conflicts of the past and with the aim of improving conditions for players.

At the meeting, the clubs expressed their concern about the crisis affecting the reputation of Spanish football in the wake of the Negreira case and the current situation of refereeing.

Furthermore, they condemned the serious accusations made in the latest RFEF press release and expressed their disbelief at the possibility that this is the general opinion of the Spanish Professional Football Refereeing Association.

During the debate, the majority of the clubs considered it necessary to look for solutions to the problems that are arising in the provision of the refereeing system and that the most appropriate option would be to move closer to the models established in England and Germany years ago.

In these models, an association/company external to the federation is created to guarantee independence and transparency in the selection of referees. In Spain, they believe that consideration should be given to accommodating players through the AFE Footballers’ Union.

Clubs are seeking to improve the quality of our refereeing and to satisfy the fans in general. They urge the RFEF, the Technical Committee of Referees and the AFE Footballers’ Union to hold talks to discuss the situation of refereeing in professional football and to explore the most efficient ways

The Negreira case was also discussed, where most of the clubs declared that the explanations given by the president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, both at today’s meeting and in recent days, do not in any way clarify the facts.