In a groundbreaking move, LaLiga and the Spanish football federation (RFEF) have announced an agreement to make conversations between referees and Video Assistant Referees (VAR) public. This new initiative aims to bring greater transparency to professional football refereeing and improve the overall fan experience by enabling a better understanding of refereeing decisions.
The implementation of this project will begin with the Spanish Supercopa, which is organized by the RFEF, in Saudi Arabia next month. The tournament will feature Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid in the first semifinal on January 10, followed by Barcelona playing against Osasuna on January 11. The final will take place on January 14. After each day of competition, broadcasters will have access to the discussions that took place between referees and VARs when incidents were reviewed using the pitchside monitor.
Following its debut in the Spanish Supercopa, this transparency initiative will be implemented in LaLiga, starting from matchday 20 in the top flight and matchday 22 in the second tier. Matches will be played from Friday, January 12 onwards. The goal is to improve the fans’ experience and enable a greater understanding of refereeing decisions for television viewers, thereby enhancing the overall quality of the competitions.
“This initiative marks a new era of collaboration and collective work between the RFEF and CTA (refereeing body) and LaLiga, with the aim of bringing greater transparency to professional football refereeing, and the competitions themselves,” stated the joint statement released by the RFEF and LaLiga. The organizations are committed to enhancing the fans’ experience and providing clear explanations for refereeing decisions in order to improve the overall competitions.
In the coming days, the RFEF and LaLiga will launch educational materials and share information on social media platforms to help fans and the media understand how this new dynamic of publicizing referee conversations will work. This proactive approach aims to address any confusion or skepticism surrounding the decision-making process during matches and foster a deeper understanding among football enthusiasts.
The relationship between the RFEF and LaLiga has significantly improved in recent months, marking a departure from years of feuding over various aspects of Spanish football governance. This positive change is attributed to the departure of Luis Rubiales as RFEF president. Pedro Rocha, one of Rubiales’ former vice presidents, currently oversees the federation on an interim basis until elections next year. The newfound collaboration between the two organizations reflects a shared commitment to advancement and progress in Spanish football.
Referees and VAR in Spain have faced ongoing criticism this season, with clubs, fans, and sections of the media lamenting decisions and questioning the lack of transparency. Additionally, the image of the profession has been tarnished due to a criminal investigation into payments made by Barcelona to firms associated with the former vice president of Spain’s refereeing committee, José Maria Enriquez Negreira. The decision to publicize conversations between referees and VARs serves as a proactive step to address concerns and restore trust in the integrity of Spanish football refereeing.
As LaLiga and the RFEF embark on this new endeavor for transparency, fans can anticipate a heightened understanding of refereeing decisions and a more engaging football viewing experience. The move sets a precedent for other leagues and federations worldwide to embrace transparency and provide greater insight into the decision-making process on the field.