Referees’ union hits out at Real Madrid president Florentino Perez – ‘We cannot accept…’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid have made their displeasure with the refereeing in La Liga quite openly known in recent times with the players, the manager and the club’s media also extensively emphasising the same.

More recently, the club president Florentino Perez has also joined the fray and lashed out at the refereeing, even implying that the after-effects of the Negreira scandal were still affecting the club.

Needless to say, his statements have not gone down well with the referees and their union in Spain and they have now come to hit out at Perez through a long and targeted statement released officially by the Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF).

The statement

“The Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF) expresses its rejection of the recent public statements made by the President of Real Madrid, Mr Florentino Perez, due to the serious harm that this type of statement causes to the reputation of the refereeing collective and to Spanish football,” the statement began, directed at the Real Madrid president.

The statement then detailed how referees uphold their duties with complete transparency and professionalism and how Perez’s accusations were baseless.

“In the so-called Negreira Case, no referee has been investigated or charged throughout the entire period of judicial instruction. We cannot accept as valid the accusation of corruption against referees,” it reads.

Moving forward, the refereeing body made clear how referees cannot be held liable for results on the field and extended support to all referees, especially those attacked by Real Madrid.

“We understand that refereeing cannot be used as an excuse to justify sporting results. Football is won and lost on the pitch.”

“AESAF expresses its support for our colleague Pablo González Fuertes and for all referees in Spain, whose professional and personal work deserves institutional and social respect.”

They then clearly hit out at Los Blancos for the accusations put forth by them in last season’s Copa del Rey.

“We wish to state that the accusation of threats made at the press conference of the Final of the Copa del Rey for the 2024–25 season does not correspond to reality and is, at the very least, a falsehood.”

“[They] were intended to highlight that violence against referees and their family environments at all levels of Spanish football had reached unacceptable levels.”

Florentino Perez’s statements have stirred up controversy. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The press release then highlighted how any accusation against referees leads to violence against officials on the field and tarnished images and how all efforts were being made to ensure transparency.

With specific reference to Real Madrid, the AESAF wrote about the harm they were inflicting on referees.

“It is very serious that this Club maintains statements that are detached from reality and that can create an unsporting climate within Spanish competition.”

They then once again highlight the Negreira case and how no referee has been found guilty in the same.

“As of today, there is no charge or investigation involving referees throughout the entire period of instruction, making it essential to preserve the principle of the presumption of innocence and to avoid statements that could lead public opinion to erroneous conclusions.”

They then thanked clubs, organisations and players for backing them at this difficult moment and how more responsibility must be taken by prominent figures before making any statements.

Towards the end of the statement, the AESAF highlight how they are working in tandem with clubs and the RFEF to constantly improve the refereeing standards.

“AESAF highlights that it has been participating for months in the Refereeing Reform Commission, a continuous dialogue promoted by the RFEF, in which representatives of professional clubs participate, listening to proposals, analysing concerns, and working in a critical and constructive manner.”

“Real Madrid was absent from the most recent meeting.”

“The application of tools such as VAR and review protocols contributes to reinforcing transparency and reducing the margin of human error inherent in any sport.”

Source: AS