The website of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) issued a statement commenting on the numerous referee scandals in the last matches of the La Liga 2023/2024 season. The federation spoke in defense of the referees.
The RFEF wants to show its support, solidarity and confidence to referees and referees in the face of the attacks they are suffering in the exercise of their powers. The refereeing collective is a benchmark in Europe and around the world, as UEFA and FIFA recognise, appointing Spanish referees in major events, such as World Cups, European Championships or the Champions League. Respect for the referee must be a maxim for all levels linked to football. Without referees there is no football." RFEF statement
For example, on January 21, during the match of the 21st round of the Spanish championship between Almeria and Real Madrid (2:3), los Blancos managed to get back from the score 0:2 thanks to some controversial decisions of the referee of the meeting Francisco Jose Hernandez Maeso.
This is not the first scandal related to the RFEF: in September 2023, the president of the federation Luis Rubiales was forced to leave his post after the final of the Women's World Cup-2023, where the Spaniards won the title. At the award ceremony, Rubiales kissed Furia striker Jennifer Hermoso without consent, causing a wave of backlash.