Spanish referees issue complaint against Florentino Perez after Barcelona title jibe

"The Spanish Association of Football Referees denounces the statements made by the president of Real Madrid in the press conference of May 12 and in the interview broadcast on La Sexta on May 13, 2026, in which he accused the refereeing establishment of systemic corruption, theft of titles and illicit enrichment."

"AESAF believes that these statements cannot be justified under the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression or sports criticism, given that Mr. Pérez does not merely point out isolated refereeing errors, but rather accuses the refereeing body of perpetrating a continuous crime of corruption over two decades. Furthermore, AESAF emphasizes that the president of Real Madrid acts at all times as the highest institutional representative of one of the world's most high-profile clubs, which amplifies the damaging impact of his words and increases his responsibility."

"AESAF also requests that the Competition Committee, as a precautionary and urgent measure, order Mr. Pérez to cease issuing similar statements while the proceedings are underway; that he be required to compensate the Refereeing Association for the moral, reputational, and professional damage caused; and that Real Madrid CF be required to issue a public statement of rectification and apology."

"In the opinion of AESAF, Mr. Pérez's statements constitute a serious, unjustified, and systematic attack on the professional and institutional honor of the Refereeing Association, without any basis in a final judicial ruling. AESAF, in fulfilling its statutory function of defending the refereeing profession, has acted with the utmost diligence to protect the dignity and moral integrity of football referees in Spain."

The Spanish Association of Football Referees denounces accusations made by Real Madrid’s president in May 2026 that claim systemic corruption, theft of titles, and illicit enrichment by the refereeing establishment. The association argues the statements cannot be justified as legitimate freedom of expression or sports criticism because they allege a continuous crime over two decades rather than isolated refereeing errors. It emphasizes the president’s role as the highest institutional representative of a major club, increasing the responsibility and harm of the remarks. The association requests the competition committee order the president to stop similar statements during ongoing proceedings, require compensation for moral, reputational, and professional damage, and require Real Madrid to issue a rectification and apology. It also states the claims are serious, unjustified, and systematic attacks on the refereeing association’s honor without a final judicial ruling.

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