Spanish referees file complaint against Real Madrid and Florentino Perez | OneFootball

The feud between Spain’s referees and Real Madrid has intensified, with the officials filing a complaint against the club, its president Florentino Perez and in-house channel Real Madrid TV for allegedly stoking pressure and hatred around officiating.

On Thursday the Spanish Football Referees’ Association, AESAF, formally referred the case to the National Commission against Violence in Sport. The filing targets hostile statements and media content viewed as capable of fuelling hate towards match officials.

According to El País, the complaint singles out Perez’s 12 May address, when he alleged systemic corruption in Spanish refereeing and said several Madrid titles had been stolen. The referees deem those remarks grave and well beyond routine sporting criticism.

The complaint also cites Real Madrid TV’s regular pre-match videos that compile supposed past errors by referees appointed to Madrid games. It argues this media strategy directly fosters distrust and hostility towards them.

The association is seeking disciplinary proceedings and a public apology from Perez. The reported conduct could be treated as very serious offences and bring significant financial penalties. The dispute underlines a widening rift between Madrid and Spain’s refereeing bodies, heightened in recent months by the revival of the Negreira case and persistent criticism of La Liga and officiating from the club.

Source: L'Équipe