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.

Real Madrid's focus on growing young players is still producing great results, and the newest example is already getting noticed beyond their training ground.

Fichajes recently said that 19-year-old defender Victor Valdepenas is attracting serious interest from teams all over Europe after his first senior game for the club last weekend against Alaves.

Valdepenas' first La Liga game was low-key but important. Even though he was put in a tough spot, the academy product played with a calmness that showed he was more mature than his age suggests.

Inside the club, they’ve been watching him closely for a while. His first-team appearance is seen as a well-earned reward for his steady growth, not just a lucky shot.

Big Teams Watching Valdepenas

His debut didn't go unnoticed.

The report states that some major European clubs have begun closely monitoring him. Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen are all keeping an eye on the young centre-back.

Arsenal seems especially interested. The Premier League team is thinking about the future of their defence and thinks Valdepenas is a good fit.

Under Mikel Arteta, the club wants defenders who are good with the ball, smart about tactics, and physically strong.

Valdepenas is seen as someone who can handle the intensity of English football and help start plays from the back.

There's also a lot of interest in Germany. Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are both watching him, knowing his potential and how good they are at training young players.

Even with all the attention, no one has made an offer yet. The clubs are being careful, respecting Real Madrid and the player's current goals.

Right now, Valdepenas is said to be concentrating on securing his spot in Madrid. He knows that if he keeps improving and is patient, even bigger chances could open up.