Controversy is escalating within Spanish refereeing circles following one of Barcelona’s most contentious recent matches, amid strong indications of an official move that could affect the future of one of La Liga’s elite referees. This comes as part of a new policy that prioritizes performance over reputation.
Behind the scenes, it appears that what happened at Anoeta has not gone unnoticed, especially given the strict approach currently adopted by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Influential errors are no longer acceptable, regardless of the referee’s name or history.
Related topics
Until the midpoint of the match, the debate was not primarily about VAR decisions, but rather focused on the overall management of the game and the referee’s direct interventions, which sparked anger within Barcelona and raised further questions inside the referees’ committee.
Full Details
According to Mundo Deportivo, international referee Jesús Gil Manzano is now a candidate for what is referred to within the Spanish referees’ committee as a “suspension,” a temporary measure following his controversial handling of the Barcelona–Real Sociedad match. This step falls within the framework of the RFEF’s accountability policy.
The referees’ technical committee, headed by Fran Soto, had previously confirmed that any referee who fails to meet the expected performance standards will be temporarily rested. This principle was already applied earlier this season, when international referee José Luis Munuera Montero was suspended after a major error in the opening rounds, despite later returning to officiate the Spanish Super Cup final.
According to sources within the committee, Gil Manzano’s suspension will not take place in the current round due to the rotation system, but it could occur in La Liga’s 22nd round at the end of January, serving as a clear message reflecting the strictness of the new refereeing policy.
Barcelona’s frustration was not directed at the offside decisions reviewed by VAR, but rather at the referee’s on-field interventions, most notably Carlos Soler’s violent challenge on Pedri in the 85th minute. Initially, Soler was shown a yellow card before VAR intervened.
During the review, Gil Manzano acknowledged the seriousness of the challenge, confirming that the action endangered the player’s physical safety, before issuing a red card,a decision that intensified the controversy rather than calming it.
The sixth minute also saw an early VAR intervention, when Firmino’s goal was initially awarded but later disallowed due to a prior foul by Dani Olmo on Takefusa Kubo. The referee later clarified that Barcelona’s recovery of the ball stemmed from a clear foul, contrary to initial impressions.
If the temporary suspension is confirmed, Gil Manzano is expected to return to officiating either in La Liga’s Matchday 23 or during the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, particularly given his status as one of Europe’s elite referees, alongside Sánchez Martínez and Alejandro Hernández Hernández.
Spanish refereeing is entering a new phase marked by transparency and accountability, while the Anoeta match remains a pivotal moment that could reshape the landscape of trust within La Liga.
