CTA president admits referee appointment mistake in Real Madrid-Girona clash | OneFootball

The debate around refereeing decisions in Spanish football has taken another turn, with Fran Soto, president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), openly acknowledging an error linked to a recent Real Madrid fixture.

The focus centres on the appointment of referee Javier Alberola Rojas for the clash between Real Madrid and Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

That match became a talking point due to a contentious moment inside the penalty area involving Kylian Mbappe and Vitor Reis, which fuelled widespread discussion about officiating standards.

What’s the story?

Reflecting on that decision, Soto did not shy away from criticism of himself. He admitted. 

“With hindsight, I think it was a mistake. I thought there wouldn’t be any issues. 

“I’m very critical of myself and, if I think something can be improved, then I’ll try to improve it. 

“If it happened again, I don’t think I would have appointed Alberola Rojas for the Real Madrid v Girona match.”

Real Madrid were denied a clear penalty against Girona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

It is a rare moment of transparency from a refereeing authority, especially in a league where officiating decisions are frequently scrutinised but seldom publicly reassessed in such direct terms.

There is more

However, what makes this situation particularly interesting is that the admission has not led to a change in position regarding future appointments. 

Despite recognising the error, Soto remains confident in assigning Alberola Rojas to one of the biggest fixtures of the domestic calendar. 

He stated that he had no doubts “about maintaining Alberola Rojas’s appointment for the [Cope del Rey] Cup final”.

Lastly, Soto also addressed the ongoing story surrounding the relationship between referees and Real Madrid, particularly in the context of criticism from Real Madrid TV. 

Dismissing any suggestion of tension, he clarified, “They don’t send me any videos either; I think there are fewer this year. 

“My relationship with Real Madrid is very cordial and based on respect, just as it should be.”

Source: AS