Royal Spanish Football Federation responds to Real Madrid's VAR review request

Real Madrid was left frustrated with the officiating in their match against Espanyol and filed a complaint with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The federation has now issued its response.

Details: The RFEF released an official statement reaffirming its commitment to transparency, fairness, and improving refereeing mechanisms. However, it also expressed full support for referees, emphasizing their professionalism.

Statement: "On behalf of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, we reaffirm our commitment to transparency, fairness, and the continuous improvement of refereeing mechanisms—fundamental pillars that ensure the integrity and development of our competitions.

We deeply regret the tone and severity of accusations that call into question the honor of refereeing bodies and the overall functioning of the competition. While we acknowledge that professional football may see disagreements over certain decisions, we trust that all parties will act with the responsibility and respect demanded at the highest level of the sport.

In this regard, we wish to express our utmost respect and support for all our referees, who carry out their duties with professionalism, rigor, and under constant scrutiny. While refereeing decisions are naturally subject to review and analysis, this should not lead to sweeping accusations that undermine their integrity. Such claims not only affect referees but also erode trust in football as a whole."

The federation’s response suggests it will not be releasing the requested VAR audio recordings while emphasizing its trust in the refereeing system.

Reminder: During the same match, Real Madrid suffered another setback as key defender Antonio Rüdiger was forced off the field early due to injury.