Entire refereeing committee fired by Spanish Football Federation after clubs demand huge changes to structure

According to Marca, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has dismissed the entire refereeing committee in response to mounting pressure from clubs demanding structural reform. A major shake-up aimed at modernising Spanish refereeing from top to bottom has now been set in motion.

Luis Medina Cantalejo, head of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), and Carlos Clos Gomez, head of VAR, have been removed from their positions. They are joined by several senior officials, including Antonio Rubinos Perez and three vice presidents, who are also stepping down. A new leadership model will be introduced, led by a CEO and a sporting director, aiming to overhaul how refereeing is managed — covering assessments, promotions, and daily operations. While the leadership changes are sweeping, the current pool of referees in La Liga and the second tier will remain, ensuring continuity on the field during the transition.

RFEF president Rafael Louzan had signalled earlier this year that significant structural changes were coming to Spanish refereeing. Throughout the past season, both Cantalejo and Gomez faced mounting criticism, with numerous clubs voicing frustration over controversial officiating and inconsistent VAR decisions.

A statement from the governing body read: "The Royal Spanish Football Federation has agreed to renew the leadership of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), as part of the ongoing process of strengthening and updating various strategic areas of the institution.

"This decision reflects the desire to open a new era in the field of refereeing, in line with the work carried out by the refereeing system reform group, which includes representatives from the refereeing community, professional clubs, and the Federation itself. This space for dialogue and proposals has helped lay the foundations for a more modern, efficient model adapted to the current needs of Spanish football.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Luis Medina Cantalejo , outgoing President of the CTA, and to his team members: Antonio Rubinos Perez (Deputy President), Vicente Lizondo Cortes, Bernardino Gonzalez Vazquez and Jose Luis Lesma Lopez (Vice Presidents), and Carlos Clos Gomez (VAR Project Director), for their work over the years. They have carried out their responsibilities in a particularly demanding environment, with dedication, professionalism, and commitment to Spanish football.

"On July 2, the RFEF will publicly present the new structure of the Technical Committee of Referees , a team that will take on the challenge of continuing to advance along a path of professionalism, rigor, and closeness to all levels of football."

Earlier this year, a four-club panel was formed to reform the refereeing committee in Spain. Real Madrid were, however, left out of the committee. In the 2024-25 season, Los Blancos were relentless in their pursuit of justice in light of what they deemed to be biased, adulterated, and manipulative refereeing. They publicly used their media channel Real Madrid TV to brutally criticise referees, forcing other clubs as well as La Liga president Javier Tebas to hit back at the record champions.