The head of VAR, Pablo González Fuertes, lashed out at Real Madrid TV during a press conference. He said their videos attacking referees have serious consequences. Fans and players often insult and threaten referees after watching these videos. González Fuertes believes this creates a toxic environment in football. He warned that if this continues, there could be serious problems.
Real Madrid Responds
The Real Madrid club reacted strongly to González Fuertes’ comments. They think he shouldn’t be part of the VAR team for the King’s Cup final because of his biased remarks. However, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the Refereeing Committee (CTA) don’t plan to replace him. According to Marca, they still trust González Fuertes and the other referees.
Concerns About Referee Safety
González Fuertes pointed out that when journalists call refereeing decisions “robbery,” fans pick up on it. This can lead to more abuse and threats against referees. He thinks all parties involved in football need to take responsibility for creating a hostile atmosphere. The RFEF and CTA are aware of the issue but haven’t taken any action so far.
Some key concerns raised by González Fuertes include:
- Fans insulting and threatening referees on social media
- Journalists using language that fuels negative sentiment towards referees
- The potential for serious consequences if the situation isn’t addressed
The RFEF and CTA have stated that they trust their referees to remain impartial despite the controversy.