La Liga is about to create a turning point in its media approach when referees start giving interviews after matches, starting with round 11 this weekend.
La Liga referees will give interviews after each match
The information was confirmed by DAZN, one of the owners of La Liga broadcasting rights. Accordingly, instead of just appearing in pre-match interviews like in the past, the referees will directly share with the media after the final whistle. However, this activity is implemented in a limited manner when each round only one referee is selected to be interviewed. In round 11, the first person to perform this task was the referee controlling the Athletic Bilbao match against Real Sociedad.
In fact, La Liga has pursued this plan for a long time and only reached an agreement with the referees this season through a financial reward mechanism. According to AS, in early July, the Referees Association AESAF, La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) agreed to increase the transparency of refereeing in the two leading tournaments, while also improving the quality of television programs.
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La Liga strongly awarded 500,000 euros, the referee began to speak after each round |
According to the agreement, referees must participate in interviews before and after the match. In return, they receive a bonus from a 500,000 euro fund for media activities. This mechanism is similar to the policy of encouraging clubs to actively participate in activities proposed by DAZN and Movistar during broadcasts.
Since the beginning of the season, referees have appeared in pre-match shows in the Spanish First and Second Divisions. They only give interviews to television copyright owners. Before the El Clasico match, referee Martinez Munuera once shared with DAZN that he tried to stay focused and avoid being affected by noise in the media.
The latest move shows that La Liga is gradually bringing refereeing activities closer to fans. Previously, the tournament publicly announced the identities of VAR referees and launched a weekly program called Review Time. Here, controversial situations are analyzed, and even the referee’s mistakes are acknowledged.
In the near future, La Liga plans to continue broadcasting a behind-the-scenes style documentary (Inside), exploring the activities of the referee team. These changes are part of an effort to increase transparency, while protecting and building a positive image for refereeing in Spanish football.