Spanish Referees Committee Head Admits Error in Alberola Rojas' Appointment for Real Madrid Match

G. E (Elbotola)

28 April 2026at08:15

Fran Soto, head of the Technical Committee of Referees at the Spanish Football Federation, has admitted an error in the decision to appoint Javier Alberola Rojas to officiate the match between Real Madrid and Girona. Soto explained that the timing for this decision was not appropriate. This acknowledgment, made amid ongoing questions about refereeing performance, came during an interview Soto conducted on the "Radio Estadio Noche" program on Spain's Onda Cero radio, where he discussed the details of the encounter that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Soto clarified that the problematic appointment coincided with a sensitive period just before the Copa del Rey final, affirming his commitment to preventing such issues next season. Fran Soto stated, "It was a mistake to appoint Alberola Rojas for that match between Real Madrid and Girona directly before the Cup final, and it is something that will not happen again with me next year." Despite admitting this error, the committee head emphasized that he did not hesitate to confirm Rojas' assignment to officiate the Cup final, reiterating his confidence in the referee's professional competence.

The controversial match later saw the Technical Committee of Referees intervene to correct a decision made by Alberola Rojas regarding a penalty kick for star Kylian Mbappé that was not awarded at the time. In this context, the committee head considered that revealing these administrative errors is part of a transparency policy aimed at developing the refereeing system in La Liga, thereby ensuring the accuracy of appointments in major matches in the future.

Q&A

What error did the Spanish Referees Committee head admit?

The Spanish Referees Committee head, Fran Soto, admitted an error in appointing Javier Alberola Rojas to officiate the Real Madrid vs. Girona match. This decision was deemed inappropriate due to its timing, occurring directly before a major final.

Why was Javier Alberola Rojas' appointment for the Real Madrid match considered a mistake?

Javier Alberola Rojas' appointment was considered a mistake because it coincided with a sensitive period just before a significant cup final. The committee head, Fran Soto, stated this timing was not appropriate and committed to preventing similar issues next season.

How will the Spanish Referees Committee address future referee appointments?

The Spanish Referees Committee aims to ensure the accuracy of appointments in major matches by implementing a transparency policy. Fran Soto emphasized that revealing administrative errors is crucial for developing the refereeing system in La Liga and preventing future issues.