FC Barcelona Files Formal Complaint with RFEF and CTA Over Refereeing Decisions and VAR Failures

Spain - Ekhbary News Agency

FC Barcelona Files Formal Complaint with RFEF and CTA Over Refereeing Decisions and VAR Failures

FC Barcelona has taken a decisive step, submitting a comprehensive formal complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA). The initiative stems from the club's "deep concern" over what it perceives as a recurring pattern of detrimental refereeing decisions and a troubling lack of consistent criteria, factors that, according to the club, are undermining the integrity and credibility of competitions. This dissatisfaction crystallized following the recent Copa del Rey Mapfre semi-final first leg against Atlético de Madrid, where the officiating by Martínez Munuera, and more critically, the VAR intervention overseen by González Fuertes, generated palpable indignation within the Blaugrana camp.

The core of the controversy centered on the VAR room, where a failure in the semi-automatic offside technology necessitated manual drawing of offside lines. This malfunction led to the disallowance of a crucial goal by Pau Cubarsí, a process that involved six minutes and 22 seconds of anxious waiting, further fueling the club's frustration. The formal complaint, signed by Rafael Yuste, the club's president, is not merely an outlet for grievances but a structured document addressed to key figures including Rafael Louzán (RFEF President), Francisco Soto (CTA President), Eduardo Prieto (VAR Head), and Jordi Aparisi (Director of Legal Advisory). In it, the club expresses its "profound concern over the reiteration of refereeing actions it considers prejudicial and lacking a homogeneous criterion."

Furthermore, Barcelona has put forward a series of demands aimed at a structural reform of the refereeing system. The most prominent is the request for the "full publication of all VAR audios, regardless of whether an on-field review takes place." This measure, described as "essential for transparency and refereeing pedagogy," seeks to dispel the shadows of doubt surrounding controversial decisions, such as the one affecting Cubarsí's goal, whose audios were never disclosed. Transparency, the club argues, is fundamental to rebuilding the trust of fans and clubs themselves in the fairness of decisions.

Additionally, the Catalan entity has proposed the creation of a "specific disciplinary code or regulation for the refereeing collective." This framework, according to Barcelona, should establish "public and transparent consequences in cases of serious errors or negligence," with the aim of reinforcing confidence in a system that, in their view, lacks clear accountability mechanisms. This proposal goes beyond mere criticism, offering a constructive path to improve refereeing professionalism and responsibility.

The FC Barcelona document outlines five fundamental points supporting its complaint:

1. Lack of consistency in disciplinary criteria: The club denounces an unacceptable disparity in decisions regarding identical actions, especially concerning disciplinary sanctions. This "double standard" contradicts the principles of equity, equality, and legal certainty that should govern the competition.
2. Contradictory criteria in handball situations: The club highlights the inconsistency in the interpretation of handballs in the penalty area, even in matches officiated by the same referees. This lack of uniformity reinforces the perception of arbitrariness and unpredictability in the application of the rules.
3. Accumulation of significant errors: Beyond isolated incidents, FC Barcelona points to the "reiteration of flagrant refereeing errors throughout the season," many of which have been decisive and detrimental to the club. This accumulation directly affects the integrity of the competition and generates increasing distrust.
4. VAR application and transparency: The club expresses "reasonable doubts" about the correct use and application of the technology, especially in millimeter-precise decisions that have not been accompanied by conclusive technical explanations. The lack of transparency in the management and publication of VAR audios is also denounced.
5. Criteria for on-monitor reviews: FC Barcelona questions the lack of a clear and homogeneous criterion when sending referees to review plays on the monitor, which contributes to a perception of insecurity and inequality in decision-making.

It is crucial to emphasize that FC Barcelona insists this initiative does not intend to "question the professionalism of the refereeing collective," but rather to demand an "urgent review of the applied criteria." The primary objective is to ensure uniformity in decisions, equal treatment among clubs, and ultimately, the credibility and prestige of competitions. The voice of President Rafa Yuste on Catalunya Ràdio, calling the eight-minute wait for a resolution a "disgrace" and promising to "demand explanations," resonates with the club's determination. Barça is not merely defending its own interests but also aspiring to contribute to the overall proper functioning of Spanish football, seeking a clear, stable, and equitable framework for all participants.

The RFEF and CTA now face a demand for transparency and reform that could set an important precedent in Spanish football. FC Barcelona's requests, analyzed with the utmost seriousness, could mark a before and after in the relationship between clubs and the refereeing body, promoting greater professionalism and accountability for the benefit of the sport.

Ekhbary News Agency