Refereeing in Crisis: The RFEF Dismisses the Entire CTA Leadership in a Radical Overhaul

This article examines the recent and unprecedented decision by the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) to dismiss the entire leadership of its refereeing body, the Comité Técnico de Árbitros (CTA). More than a simple administrative shake-up, this move reflects deeper structural challenges within Spanish football. By analyzing the context, the motivations behind the decision and the proposed reforms, the article aims to explore what this overhaul reveals about governance, transparency and the future of officiating in both Spain and within the broader European football landscape.

A Radical Decision at the Top of Spanish Refereeing

On 26 June 2025, the RFEF issued a sweeping

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