REFEREES STRIKE BACK: AESAF REJECTS FLORENTINO PEREZ'S CORRUPTION ACCUSATIONS HEAD-ON
The Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF) issued a lengthy rebuttal to Florentino Perez, stating his comments on the Negreira case and referee integrity are baseless and harmful.
Real Madrid has been pretty open about their unhappiness with how La Liga games have been officiated as of late. The players, manager, and even the club's media channels have all been talking about it.
Just recently, club president Florentino Perez jumped into the discussion. He criticized the refereeing and suggested that the Negreira scandal might still be having an impact on the club.
Understandably, these comments didn't sit well with the referees and their association in Spain. The Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF) has officially released a lengthy statement to push back against Perez.
Here's what the statement said:
The Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF) wants to say that we disagree with the recent public comments made by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez. This kind of talk does a lot of damage to the reputation of referees and Spanish football. This was aimed directly at the Real Madrid president.
The statement went on to say that referees do their jobs with complete transparency and professionalism and that Perez's accusations have no basis.
In the Negreira Case, no referee has been investigated or charged at all during the judicial process. "We can't accept the accusation of corruption against referees as valid," it continued.
The refereeing body also clarified that referees can't be blamed for what happens on the field and showed their support for all referees, especially those singled out by Real Madrid.
We believe that refereeing shouldn't be a scapegoat for game results. Games are won and lost on the field.
AESAF supports our colleague Pablo González Fuertes and all referees in Spain, whose work deserves respect both professionally and personally.
They also directly addressed Los Blancos about accusations made during last season’s Copa del Rey.
We want to state that the accusation of threats made at the press conference of the Final of the Copa del Rey for the 2024–25 season is not true, to say the least.
[They] were meant to point out that violence against referees and their families at all levels of Spanish football had reached unacceptable levels.
The statement then noted that any accusations against referees can lead to violence against them on the field and hurt their image. They added that they're doing everything they can to be transparent.
Specifically talking about Real Madrid, the AESAF mentioned the harm they're causing to referees.
It's a serious issue that this club keeps making statements that aren't based on reality, which could create an unsporting environment in Spanish competition.
They repeated that no referee has been found guilty in the Negreira case.
As of today, there is no charge or investigation of referees during the entire instruction period. So it's important to stick to the principle of innocent until proven guilty to avoid statements that could mislead the public.
They thanked the clubs, organizations, and players who have supported them during this time and asked that prominent figures take more responsibility for what they say.
Near the end, the AESAF said that they're working with clubs and the RFEF to keep improving refereeing standards.
AESAF mentions that it has been part of the Refereeing Reform Commission for months. This is a continuous discussion promoted by the RFEF, where club representatives can share ideas and concerns and work together in a helpful way.
Real Madrid was not at the most recent meeting.
Using technology like VAR and review protocols helps to reinforce openness and reduce the chance of human error that is part of any sport.
THIBAUT COURTOIS CLEARED TO START EL CLáSICO AFTER RECOVERING FROM INJURY
Thibaut Courtois will return for Real Madrid in Sunday's El Clásico, but Ferland Mendy is sidelined for five months with an injury.
Looks like Thibaut Courtois is finally set to make his return for Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clásico, which would be his first match since March 17. Courtois injured his thigh during the Champions League clash with Manchester City and hasn’t played since. Madrid really missed him; they managed just one clean sheet in eight games while he was out.
Now, with the trip to Camp Nou right around the corner, Courtois is back at just the right time. According to MARCA, he’ll start against Barcelona unless something unexpected happens between now and then. He trained with the squad on Monday and looks ready to reclaim his spot from Andriy Lunin, who’s had a tough couple of months and faced a fair share of criticism. If Courtois starts, he’ll notch his 330th appearance for the club.
But here’s the problem: while Arbeloa gets a major boost in goals, his squad is still missing key players. Arda Güler, Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, Rodrygo, and maybe even Kylian Mbappé remain sidelined, so Madrid are still far from full strength for this crucial match on May 10.
Ferland Mendy joins the injury list too after picking up a muscle issue in the 2–0 win over Espanyol. He only lasted 14 minutes before coming off, and further tests showed a hamstring injury bad enough that ESPN says he could be out for up to five months, possibly needing surgery.
That one really hurts since Mendy had played so well lately, especially against Savinho and Michael Olise in the Champions League. To make things even more complicated, Álvaro Carreras seems to have dropped down Arbeloa’s pecking order, so Fran García is expected to fill in at left back on Sunday.
Now, about the title race. Barcelona sit 11 points clear at the top, so the La Liga title is basically theirs. Madrid already swallowed the bitter pill of losing out to their biggest rivals for a second straight season, but two things could still make this sting even more. First, they dodged the humiliation of being forced to give Barcelona a guard of honour at the Camp Nou. Madrid’s win over Espanyol last weekend stopped that from happening.
But here’s what Madrid really wants to avoid: Barcelona celebrating the title in front of them on Sunday. The math is simple: if Barça earn even a draw, they clinch the league. The only way Madrid can delay the inevitable is by taking all three points and spoiling the party at least for another week.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
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