Oviedo, Spain – The Spanish Committee of Technical Arbitrators (CTA) is facing intense scrutiny after a recent “Tiempo de Revisión” – their weekly review of controversial plays – appeared to retroactively justify a decision by referee Jesús Gil Manzano during a La Liga match between Levante and Real Oviedo. The incident, centering on a hard foul by Levante’s Olasagasti on Oviedo’s Thiago Fernández, has sparked accusations of bias and manipulation of post-match analysis.
The controversy stems from Gil Manzano’s decision to issue only a simple foul, rather than a yellow card, for Olasagasti’s challenge on Fernández. The CTA’s subsequent review, however, presented a narrative that seemingly supported the on-field call, despite initial appearances. According to the CTA, as explained by spokesperson Marta Frías, the incident involved a tackle with studs on Fernández’s Achilles tendon, but the referee interpreted the action as “temerarious” rather than “excessive force or brutality.”
However, this explanation quickly unraveled upon closer examination of the official match report. The report, published by the Spanish Football Federation, explicitly states that Olasagasti was not cautioned for the foul. Instead, a yellow card was issued to Guillermo Almada, the Oviedo manager, for protesting the play. This discrepancy between the CTA’s analysis and the official record has fueled accusations that the committee attempted to rewrite the narrative to support Gil Manzano’s initial decision.
The CTA’s statement regarding the incident reads, “A Levante player impacts with the studs on the Achilles tendon without the ball being within playing distance. The key is to interpret whether the player uses excessive force or brutality or, conversely, whether the action is merely reckless.” Frías then added, although footage showed Gil Manzano actually issuing a card to Almada, “The referee, on the field, has the latter interpretation, therefore showing the yellow card.”
This sequence of events has raised serious questions about the integrity of the CTA’s review process and its potential influence on perceptions of refereeing decisions. The incident is particularly sensitive given Gil Manzano’s standing as a prominent referee in Spanish football, and a FIFA-listed official. Gil Manzano, born in Badajoz, Spain in 1984, has officiated 137 first division matches and 36 international games as of March 2026.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) seemingly upheld Gil Manzano’s original decision, stating that “there was no clear, obvious and manifest error,” according to the CTA’s analysis. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the VAR system and its role in correcting potentially incorrect calls.
The timing of this incident also comes amidst broader discussions about refereeing standards in Spanish football. Just days prior, reports surfaced regarding concerns within the refereeing community, with some expressing anxieties about potential external pressures. While these reports remain unconfirmed, they add another layer of complexity to the current controversy.
For Real Oviedo, the incident represents more than just a questionable call in a single match. The team is currently battling for a playoff spot in La Liga, and every point is crucial. A penalty or a sending-off for Olasagasti could have significantly altered the outcome of the game against Levante, which the latter won by a narrow margin.
The CTA’s attempt to justify the on-field decision, coupled with the factual inaccuracies in their “Tiempo de Revisión,” has drawn criticism from fans, pundits, and even other officials. The incident underscores the importance of transparency and accountability within the Spanish football federation, and the necessitate for a robust and independent review process for refereeing decisions.
The fallout from this incident is likely to continue in the coming days, with calls for a more thorough investigation into the CTA’s actions. The Spanish Football Federation has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the specific concerns raised about the accuracy of the “Tiempo de Revisión.”
Real Oviedo’s next match is scheduled for April 3rd against Sporting Gijón at the Carlos Tartiere Stadium in Oviedo. The team will be looking to put this controversy behind them and focus on securing a playoff berth. The match is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 PM local time (4:30 PM UTC).
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the intense scrutiny faced by referees and the organizations that oversee them. Maintaining the integrity of the game requires not only competent officiating but also a commitment to transparency and accountability. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the Spanish Football Federation can address these concerns and restore confidence in its refereeing system.
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