Barcelona lodge formal complaint to RFEF over refereeing, call for sanctions | OneFootball

Barcelona have sent a formal letter to the Real Federación Española de Fútbol, RFEF, setting out deep concerns over inconsistent officiating, the club said. The letter is addressed to the federation president, the head of the Comité Técnico de Árbitros, CTA, the VAR lead and the director of the legal advisory department.

The document highlights what it sees as incoherent disciplinary criteria that produce disparity and a perception of double standards, which it argues are incompatible with principles of fairness, equality and legal certainty.

It also points to contradictory interpretations of handball in the area, reinforcing a sense of arbitrariness and a lack of predictability in applying the laws. Barcelona lists what it calls an accumulation of significant errors this season, many decisive and to the club’s detriment.

The letter raises doubts about the use and correct application of VAR technology, particularly on marginal decisions that have lacked conclusive technical explanations. It also questions transparency around the management and publication of VAR audio.

On on-field monitor reviews, it challenges the absence of clear and uniform criteria for sending referees to the screen, contributing to a perception of insecurity and inequality in decision-making. It calls for an urgent review to ensure uniform decisions, equal treatment between clubs and the credibility and prestige of the competitions.

Barcelona proposes a specific disciplinary code for match officials, with public and transparent consequences for serious mistakes or negligence, to strengthen trust in the system. The aim is to aid the competition’s overall functioning and benefit all clubs, preventing repeat situations and guaranteeing a clear, stable and equitable framework.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo