By Nico Williams
In his first interview, the new president of the Spanish football refereeing committee, Fran Soto, addressed key issues that caused significant tension in La Liga last season.
He stated he wouldn’t comment on the now-infamous video clips from Real Madrid TV, which throughout the season openly criticised referees and heightened tensions.
However, he firmly emphasised his commitment to defending his colleagues if necessary.
Soto adopted a similar stance on the Negreira case, involving Barcelona’s payments to the second-highest-ranking official in the refereeing committee over 17 years, which ultimately saw no legal consequences.
What Soto said
“This is a new era where professionalisation and a new management style can offer a different perspective,” Soto stated, via Sportal. “We’re starting with the premise of doing things differently. Artificial intelligence hasn’t been used so far, but we will strive for maximum transparency. I can contribute a business vision to legal training, which we’ll integrate with my refereeing knowledge.
“I didn’t become a professional referee, but I understand the dynamics within the community and can provide a fresh perspective. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s crucial to avoid preconceived notions. It’s too early to define specific changes, but they will certainly come.”
Regarding the Real Madrid TV videos, Soto said, “This is the beginning of a new era, and we need to reset and be constructive. Now is not the time for pointless arguments. I ask for trust and collaboration to ensure the refereeing community is where it needs to be. I want to leave these disputes behind and build a better future for everyone.
“If such attacks occur again, I will defend the refereeing community, but I’m confident these situations won’t repeat. Clubs will be part of building this new era, but if such incidents arise, we’ll take appropriate action.” On the Negreira case, he commented, “I don’t even know Negreira personally.
“It’s not appropriate to discuss the past when building something new. I apologize for not elaborating, but for me, this case is in the past. We’re moving forward. We have a new team, unconnected to what happened before. Furthermore, the case is now in the hands of the justice system, which will make the necessary decisions.”
“Having referees speak out more means increased visibility and greater exposure to criticism,” Soto explained when asked about referees having a clearer public position. “It’s difficult to question a player about their mistakes. When referees receive the same respect as players, we can move forward.
“As time progresses and empathy for referees grows within society, we’ll consider further steps. Football is passionate, and controversies will never disappear entirely, but we must have the tools to minimise refereeing errors.”
Regarding the absence of Spanish referees at the Club World Cup, he added, “The Club World Cup is an anomaly that needs correcting. I’m confident there will be Spanish referees in future tournaments. I believe and hope we’ll have our place in these competitions.”