Spanish referees are considering going on strike following an attack and unpleasant rhetoric from footballers and club owners.
According to reports, the Spanish match officials are contemplating halting La Liga as they see themselves come under not only public tension but in the way of physical danger.
Some of the examples that motivated Spanish La Liga referees to consider strike action;
According to Cadena Cope, referee Antonio Pozo was attacked during a 3-0 loss to Calavera in a match between Polillas and Calavera’s under-19 teams.
After the game, Pozo was attacked by a group of spectators, including the father of one of the players, who had waited outside the stadium. Pozo was knocked to the ground and suffered multiple injuries.
The RFEF came out and condemned the action, calling various campaigns and the climate of hostility to a standstill, with the implementation being that the public discourse on referees contributed to the litigation.
The next day, Valencia’s general manager, Javier Solis, went on a rant over the treatment his team received against Sevilla, which could lead to disciplinary action against him. The Anti-Violence Task Force wants increased leadership from club members.
As a result of the environment and animosity, the Federation referees are reportedly considering a strike, which would bring La Liga to a complete standstill.
The Federation’s referees are considering a strike to voice their unhappiness with the security of match officials, which would result in the cancellation of this weekend’s La Liga matches.
While officiating can undoubtedly be better in Spain, referees are ultimately vulnerable characters, subject to abuse not just on the field (as was the case two decades ago) but also online and in their private lives.
It’s hardly shocking that this attack and the way referees are discussed in Spain have prompted them to consider action.
Football officials and supporters all around the country have been clashing, and this has provoked them.
The Spanish La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid would be most affected if the planned strike for this weekend goes forward. The match will come up on Sunday, 23rd of April 2023, at 15:15 (GMT).
With 73 points after 29 games, Barcelona is 11 points clear of Real Madrid for first place in the league.
The Catalans are now in first place in La Liga, and they know that a win against their opponents would push them one step closer to winning the league.
On the other hand, Real Madrid is expected to play against Celta Vigo.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men secure their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-final after they defeated Chelsea both home and away by four goals to nil on aggregate.
The reigning European champions are 2-0 up from last week’s first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu before they clinched another 2-0 on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.
The 14 times UEFA Champions League winners will await either Bayern Munich or Manchester City in the semi-final with Pep Guardiola’s team already 3-0 up.
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