On the day when he was elected RFEF president, Luis Rubiales was clear that there will be changes in the Spanish refereeing: "There will be changes. The best that Sánchez Arminio could do is to resign, as he supported Larrea". Well, the president of the CTA did not like the form or the place chosen by Rubiales to send him his request, which is why he refused to resign. Arminio considered that this was a lack of respect for a person who has dedicated his whole life to refereeing and the CTA itself. He considered that there was no reason to submit his resignation and, even less, in the current circumstances. In addition, he feels appreciated and recognized by the referee group, which recognizes his legacy. Rubiales had no choice but to declare his dismissal and this has happened. This Tuesday, he appointed Velasco Carballo, as anticipated. But there will be more changes. Diaz Vega would not continue as technical director, since it could be covered by Medina Cantalejo or Rubinos, although the latter also count for the Segunda B and Third Division, among whose functions is the recruitment of new talents. Clos Gómez will be director of the VAR and Marisa Villa would continue to lead the women's refereeing. All dismissals and appointments will be formalized at the first meeting of the Board of Directors chaired by Luis Rubiales. (Source: Iusport)
Velasco Carballo: "We need a 21st century refereeing"
The Spanish referees have a new boss. Carlos Velasco Carballo (Madrid, 1971) is the one elected by the new president of the RFEF to chair the Technical Committee. He replaces Victoriano Sánchez Arminio, who has spent more than two decades leading with a heavy hand a collective often weighed down by Villar's resistance to modernization. Everything is going to change now. In fact, Velasco Carballo can boast of having arrived at his post not because of a loyal fidelity and defense of the leader, as in other times, but exclusively because of his preparation. He was even working for La Liga (with the VAR), and, despite the differences that Rubiales and Tebas maintain, this has not prevented them from choosing him for the position.
- How will the refereeing change now, after 25 years of Victoriano Sánchez Arminio?
- Well, we are starting from the legacy that he has transmitted to the Committee and, from there, continue building on it. The main ideas are to invest a lot in training, transparency is one of our priorities, we are closer to the environment, we support the referees of the future (without them we will not succeed). You have to train and help the territories.
- And more modernity, I suppose.
- Of course, new technologies. Modernize and professionalize the referee structure. We need a 21st century refereeing, where we are leaders internationally. It is one of the strong bets we have and I believe that my international positions can help that.
- Of the few things that Rubiales advanced as soon as he was named, he wanted the referees to retire at age 47. Do you agree?
- Well, in all the operative things of the future, my priority will always be that the CTA revolves around the referees. They are the center and the others are our support. I would like to sit down with the referees and, among all of us, let's see what the main lines that affect the entire group are. We will analyze all the consequences that could be derived and we will make the best decision.
- A question people ask themselves on the street: when we will be able to see a woman referee in Spanish professional soccer?
- All weekends they referee in Spain in other categories. Evidently, one of the great bets of the RFEF is women's football and, within it, also in the CTA. It will remain a priority. I would like to see a Spanish woman referee appointed to a Champions League final and World Cups (although we already had an assistant referee in a World Cup final - Yolanda Parga).
- So we do not risk much if we say that during Velasco Carballo's term we will see women officiating in Primera Division?
- During the mandate of Velasco Carballo, we will be very strong for female referees and we will help with all our strength, especially because I believe a lot in them.
- Are referees going to talk more? Are we going to know them better?
- My clear answer is that my intention is that they should be closer to the environment, that we know each other more, that people know how we work and how we prepare ourselves, because that helps a lot to understand our profession and, with that, also understand our mistakes and our hits, which are many more. The clear intention is that it be so.
- The way to make the referee appointments for the matches, will it change?
- At the moment it is included in the collaboration agreement between La Liga and the RFEF, so today there is no debate. It is something that has always been discussed and discussed, and we have always said that any system of appointing the referees have done well. They have adapted to everyone, so it will be studied in the future, but we have always responded to any system.
- The last question. A madrileño. Would you understand that your appointment raised some suspicion in Barcelona?
- I am sure that the people who know me and have followed my career for more than 30 years in football know my professionalism. For a referee there are no colors, there are no territories or there is nothing more than two teams among which you try to do justice every weekend. After 30 years, I do not need to defend my honesty or my impartiality. It is proven by my trajectory, I do not think it is necessary to bring it up, this is the truth. (Source: Marca)