Real Madrid News
CTA president admits referee appointment mistake in Real Madrid-Girona clash
The debate around refereeing decisions in Spanish football has taken another turn, with Fran Soto, president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA), openly acknowledging an error linked to a recent Real Madrid fixture.
The focus centres on the appointment of referee Javier Alberola Rojas for the clash between Real Madrid and Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu.
That match became a talking point due to a contentious moment inside the penalty area involving Kylian Mbappe and Vitor Reis, which fuelled widespread discussion about officiating standards.
What’s the story?
Reflecting on that decision, Soto did not shy away from criticism of himself. He admitted.
“With hindsight, I think it was a mistake. I thought there wouldn’t be any issues.
“I’m very critical of myself and, if I think something can be improved, then I’ll try to improve it.
“If it happened again, I don’t think I would have appointed Alberola Rojas for the Real Madrid v Girona match.”
It is a rare moment of transparency from a refereeing authority, especially in a league where officiating decisions are frequently scrutinised but seldom publicly reassessed in such direct terms.
There is more
However, what makes this situation particularly interesting is that the admission has not led to a change in position regarding future appointments.
Despite recognising the error, Soto remains confident in assigning Alberola Rojas to one of the biggest fixtures of the domestic calendar.
He stated that he had no doubts “about maintaining Alberola Rojas’s appointment for the [Cope del Rey] Cup final”.
Lastly, Soto also addressed the ongoing story surrounding the relationship between referees and Real Madrid, particularly in the context of criticism from Real Madrid TV.
Dismissing any suggestion of tension, he clarified, “They don’t send me any videos either; I think there are fewer this year.
“My relationship with Real Madrid is very cordial and based on respect, just as it should be.”
Source: AS
In a major update, AS reports that former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend Toni Kroos has taken his first step towards starting his coaching career.
The former Germany international has told the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he is interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers.
Real Madrid tried to bring Kroos back
It is no secret that Real Madrid considered bringing Toni Kroos back into the club’s structure after the end of the last season.
The club president, Florentino Perez, had wanted Kroos to have a daily presence at Valdebebas rather than making occasional appearances after his retirement.
Jose Angel Sanchez and Kroos spoke after Perez expressed his desire to see the German working at Valdebebas every day. However, they did not find the right moment, time or structure to give his return a clear form.
A comeback remains one of the possibilities most desired by Madrid supporters because of Kroos’ charisma and what he represents at the Santiago Bernabeu. Neither side wanted him to return simply for the sake of it, so the door remains open for the future.
The relationship between the two parties is excellent, and both know that the opportunity to work together again will eventually come.
Taking it step by step
For now, Kroos continues to run the academy he established in Boadilla, enjoying the opportunity to help develop younger players.
After two years away from the competitive side of football, however, he is beginning to look towards the dugout as a possible next step in his career.
Kroos currently holds coaching qualifications that allow him to work up to the third tier of Spanish football.
This is possible because professionals with at least seven years of proven experience and significant involvement at the elite level can gain direct access to accelerated coaching courses.
That means Kroos could coach a team in Primera Federacion, but the German wants to take things gradually.
Kroos has already informed the RFEF that he would be interested in joining the coaching course reserved for professional footballers during the 2027/28 season.
The course taking place this season is not available to elite former players, with UEFA limiting each campaign to 20 places.
With his current qualifications, Kroos could work as an assistant coach, but he cannot yet take charge as a head coach in either the top flight or the Segunda División.
But completing that programme would allow Kroos to obtain the UEFA A licence, which would enable him to coach teams at any level.
