The escalating violence directed at football referees in Spain has reached a critical point, prompting urgent calls for stronger legal protections. A chilling sentiment – “We’ve made a historical error in normalizing violence” – expressed by Paco Hevia, a representative of the Spanish Association of Football Referees (AESAF), encapsulates the increasingly dangerous reality faced by officials at all levels of the game. From insults and threats to physical assaults, the situation is particularly dire in grassroots football, where referees are often left vulnerable, and unprotected.
Spanish football is grappling with a serious problem of violence. Incidents are becoming more frequent, and referees are often the primary targets. A report revealed in December by the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) and obtained by the government, documented 177 physical assaults on referees during the 2025-26 season. This equates to an average of four attacks per weekend, and alarmingly, many of those assaulted are minors. This figure doesn’t even account for the pervasive verbal abuse.
“Call the Civil Guard, you won’t get out of here alive”
Refereeing has become a high-risk profession. Families are increasingly fearful of allowing their children to pursue it, as one mother from Galicia confessed to a local newspaper after her son was physically attacked last season: “I wish my son would tell me he doesn’t want to referee next year.” The incidents are not isolated. In February 2025, female referees in Gran Canaria were forced to barricade a door against players from Teldecosta-Arena Futboltec who were attempting to access the changing room, shouting obscenities and threats. Another case involved Abdessamad Mokhtar El Kharaifi, a 23-year-aged referee who suffered a broken jaw and a severe eye injury after being assaulted following a match in Guadalajara.
The situation hasn’t improved this season. Recent incidents highlight a disturbing normalization of aggression. In Asturias, a regional match between San Luis and Llanera B descended into chaos when the San Luis coach reportedly threatened the referee, shouting, “If you favor them and not us, I’m going to kill you.” Later in the match, Guillermo Álvarez, a San Luis player, punched the referee, knocking him to the ground and attempting to kick him while he was down. Initially, San Luis justified the aggression in a statement, claiming the refereeing decisions had “provoked” the player’s behavior and announcing they would not be disciplining him. Public outcry and condemnation from the Asturian Federation and the CTA eventually forced the San Luis president to issue a retraction and dismiss the club’s secretary general – who likewise happened to be his son and a former referee – for authoring the controversial statement.
Further violence occurred in Aragón during a match between Atlético Cariñena and Montecarlo. According to the official match report, an assistant referee from the home team began making gestures to incite the crowd to verbally abuse the officiating crew during halftime. The report details the following insults directed at the referees: “You’re a filthy whore,” “We’re going to kill you, you won’t get out of here alive,” “You can cash your checks well since we’re going to break your teeth,” and “You better call the Civil Guard because you won’t get out of here alive.”
A Change in the Law
All levels of Spanish football recognize the severity of the problem. From the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and the CTA to LaLiga and the Higher Sports Council, efforts are underway to address the issue. LaLiga clubs routinely denounce offensive chants directed at referees in the top two divisions as a demonstration of their commitment to combating violence. The RFEF conducts awareness campaigns and, in conjunction with the CTA, strengthens protocols against both physical and verbal abuse. However, many believe these measures are insufficient.
Referees and the CTA are taking a proactive approach, encouraging all officials to report incidents to the police. AESAF is now providing legal support and advice to referees, empowering them to pursue justice against their attackers.
The CTA, led by Fran Soto, is also working with the government to propose changes to the law. The goal is to equate the legal status of referees with that of law enforcement officers, potentially leading to prison sentences for those who assault them. This measure, already implemented in countries like Italy, faces legislative hurdles in Spain, but the CTA is determined to pursue it. The proposed legal changes are being viewed as a crucial tool in combating the “reign of terror” experienced by referees. There’s a growing consensus that aggression must not be normalized and that perpetrators must face serious consequences. Some within the refereeing community argue that clubs who publicly defend violent acts, like San Luis, should face severe penalties, including expulsion from competition.
The problem of violence in Spanish football demands comprehensive solutions and a zero-tolerance approach. The RFEF and AESAF signed a collective bargaining agreement earlier this month, on March 9, 2026, aimed at guaranteeing arbitration in Spain, but many believe legislative action is the next critical step.
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