A first for Spanish refereeing
Spanish referees are about to answer for their decisions in public. LaLiga and the refereeing committee have agreed that officials will give post-match interviews to explain what they saw, a notable change in a league where officiating debates rarely go away.
The trial starts this weekend. Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad on Sunday, kick-off 9pm local time, is the first match where the referee will speak once the game is over. Each of the two rights holders, DAZN and Movistar+, can request one post-match interview with an official, so the pilot covers two matches.
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How it will work
LaLiga plans a gradual rollout. The first matches are there to see how the system holds up, and a wider extension is possible afterwards. Referees already speak before games this season, so the new interviews add the missing half of the conversation.
The deal sits between the referees’ union AESAF, LaLiga and the Spanish federation. LaLiga has set aside 500,000 euros to pay referees for taking part in the broadcasters’ content.
A Basque derby is a demanding first test. If the referee faces the cameras after a tight game with a contested call or two, the league will quickly find out whether explaining decisions calms things down or adds fuel.
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