Real Madrid News
Newly-appointed Referees Committee president addresses RMTV videos – ‘Have to reset the clock’
Francisco Soto, the newly-appointed president of the Referees’ Technical Committee (CTA) of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), was asked various issues in a recent interview.
However, Soto chose to steer clear of any controversy, mostly remaining coy on key matters such as RMTV videos and the Negreira case.
Francisco Soto on RMTV videos
“This is a new era and we have to reset the clock. This is not the time to get into controversy,” Soto said (h/t Mundo Deportivo), when asked directly about the Real Madrid case.
He urged for a spirit of cooperation: “Trust, empathy, and we will all help each other. We will fight for the mutual good of refereeing. We will build, we will put the controversies of the past behind us. The future will be much better for everyone.”
Soto’s comments come in the midst of a Spanish court’s order to reopen the disciplinary case against Real Madrid over their controversial referee-targeting videos on Real Madrid TV.
The court ruling came after LaLiga successfully challenged the initial closure of the case, with the judge stating that the content of RMTV’s videos could violate multiple articles of the RFEF’s Disciplinary Code.
It further argued that the videos posed a threat to the integrity of the competition and the honour of the officiating community.
Soto, though, remained tight-lipped on this matter. He maintained a similar tone even when asked about club’s gestures like giving gifts.
“I’ve just arrived. We have to find the most appropriate solutions for each situation.” He added, “I will defend the refereeing community to the bitter end. I am confident that this situation will not occur in this new phase.”
Francisco Soto on Negreira case
Soto was not only asked about Real Madrid’s videos. He was also asked about the ongoing Negreira case involved FC Barcelona.
In response, the CTA president said, “I haven’t seen Negreira, nor do I know him. This is when a new era, a new air, is emerging. It makes no sense for us to get involved in something that’s already been judicialized.”
Soto added that his “office will be open to all clubs,” hinting that his tenure as CTA president will focus on transparency and openness – something that has been sorely missed in the Spanish refereeing framework in recent years.
Real Madrid prospect Alexis Ciria will have to wait for his Champions League opportunity despite making a strong impression on Jose Mourinho during pre-season.
The Castilla winger has been left out of Real Madrid’s European squad, but the decision is the consequence of UEFA registration rules rather than a sporting judgment.
According to journalist Arancha Rodriguez (h/t Defensa Central), Ciria was not eligible for Madrid’s List B because he has not been with the club long enough to satisfy UEFA’s requirements.
Registering him would therefore have required Mourinho to include him on the more restrictive List A.
UEFA rules work against Ciria
List B provides clubs with additional flexibility to register young academy players, but being young enough is not sufficient on its own.
Players must also meet requirements concerning how long they have been eligible to represent the club.
Ciria does not meet those conditions because of his limited time at Valdebebas. Real Madrid would therefore have needed to sacrifice a List A position to register him.
With those places required for members of Mourinho’s senior squad, Ciria was ultimately left out.
Real Madrid’s List B instead includes youngsters such as Joan Martinez, Mario Rivas, Thiago Pitarch, Jorge Cestero and Daniel Yanez.
Many of these youngsters made a name for themselves under Mourinho during pre-season and could be used to make up the numbers in the Champions League squad.
They could also get some minutes off the bench, especially against relatively easier opposition, as Jose Mourinho looks to manage first-team minutes.
Mourinho still plans first-team opportunity
Importantly for Ciria, missing the Champions League squad does not appear to reflect a change in Mourinho’s opinion of him.
The youngster impressed during pre-season and is expected to continue spending time around the senior team.
Mourinho intends to give Ciria his official first-team debut during the season. That opportunity will now have to arrive in La Liga or the Copa del Rey.
The Portuguese tactician placed a lot of emphasis on trusting Castilla players during pre-season in the absence of first-team stars.
Ciria was one of the many names who made a name for themselves at Real Madrid during pre-season. He deserves a chance in the first team, and it remains to be seen how Jose plans his development.
