The Increasing Criticism of Refereeing in European Football

omidbasir- Almost a year ago, Tenerife’s coach, Álvaro Cervera, concluded his press conference with a poignant remark: “I am tired of the referees; they should not be the protagonists, yet they are.” This sentiment resonates with many fans across European leagues, raising a critical question: What is happening with refereeing in Europe?

To address this concern, one must examine recent events in two major leagues on the continent: Italy and England.

The Italian “classico” last Saturday was overshadowed by the dismissal of Kalulu. “La Vecchia Signora” played with ten men in the first half and ultimately lost the match 3-2. The aftermath of this decision continues to echo throughout Italy.

Even Chiellini expressed his frustration post-match, stating, “The spectacle has been marred by this decision. It is incredible that it cannot be rectified by VAR. The system is not functioning. We have reached a point of no return.”

Referee Federico La Penna was heavily criticized on social media, but he wasn’t the only target. Bastoni faced accusations of diving, prompting the ‘nerazzurro’ president to comment on a similar incident involving Cuadrado in 2021, where a simulated penalty allowed Juventus to qualify for the Champions League, earning them substantial financial rewards.

The battle against refereeing decisions in Italy is apparent. Conte remarked on February 10, “This has not been a good season for refereeing and VAR; I hope they find ways to improve.” Spinazzola also criticized the officials, stating, “We take responsibility for our actions, but referees must do the same.”

In the British Isles, criticism is coming even from within the refereeing community. Mark Halsey, a former Premier League referee for 14 seasons, criticized Howard Webb, the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, stating, “There is a lack of leadership and management. He has been in charge for three years, and it has not been sufficient. Everyone has a shelf life, and it is time for him to go.”

The controversy in England intensified following a non-awarded penalty in the FA Cup match between Newcastle and Aston Villa. Webb himself acknowledged the declining standard of officiating, stating, “The level of refereeing has decreased and is getting worse.”

Pep Guardiola humorously suggested after a match against Wolves that Webb should explain recent incidents: “I am quite sure Howard Webb will call me tomorrow with an explanation…”

In Spain, a critical point has seemingly been reached. The situation is untenable, with club-affiliated media launching weekly crusades against referees. One club has been accused of paying millions to a vice president of the Referees’ Committee, issuing statements whenever they feel wronged. Teams across Primera, Segunda, and even amateur leagues protest against officiating each weekend. This chaotic environment is detrimental to everyone involved.

Should the criteria change? Is the quality of the referees too low? Is there an overarching conspiracy? While some may feel their team is unfairly targeted, the answer is, in fact, simpler.

The pressure on referees today is immense, particularly in Spain, where every decision is scrutinized.

The ‘Negreira case’ has certainly not helped to calm the already turbulent waters. Neither Medina Cantalejo nor Fran Soto has found solutions to the outcry that emerges weekly from stadiums across Spain.

“This league smells bad,” declared ‘The Special One’ in his first season in Turkish football. Years later, justice has validated his concerns. The Turkish Football Federation suspended 149 referees and assistants due to match-fixing. This large-scale investigation implicated 371 out of 571 registered referees for having betting accounts.

While the Turkish league may not be among the largest or most glamorous in Europe, its scandals have emerged at a particularly damaging time for refereeing. Corruption has significantly tarnished the image of referees in Turkey and has raised suspicions beyond its borders.

If this were an isolated incident, one might attribute it to Mourinho’s usual criticisms. However, as seen, this is not an isolated case. Portugal’s refereeing has also come under scrutiny, with Benfica issuing a harsh statement condemning decisions that allegedly favored their rivals, stating: “Another scandalous episode. It is inexcusable and unacceptable for the credibility of Portuguese football.”

What is the root of this mistrust towards a body that is supposed to uphold justice? This is an ongoing story. However, it seems that the introduction of VAR has exacerbated the situation.

A concerning statistic for purists is that 68% of VAR interventions have been related to goals. “I no longer celebrate goals because of VAR…” has become a common refrain in Spain.

In the Champions League, there have been 0.47 VAR interventions per match, while in the Europa League, it’s 0.40, and in the Conference League, 0.31. The current season has seen a total of 1,080 VAR interventions, compared to just 56 in the 2018-19 season when it was first implemented. For subsequent seasons, the numbers rose from 186 in 19-20 to 263 in 20-21, 633 in 21-22, 533 in 22-23, 795 in 23-24, and 1,203 in 24-25.

Has VAR helped to reduce controversy, or has it amplified it? What solutions can end this cycle of statements and protests? In Italy, discussions are already underway to find answers.

Following the incidents in the Italian classic, Serie A has scheduled a meeting for March 23. The president of the Italian league, Ezio Simonelli, stated, “Italy was one of the first countries to indicate that the VAR protocol was inadequate. If they had listened to us, we would not be in this situation now.”

In another development, referee La Penna has reportedly filed a complaint due to the hate and death threats he received on social media following the match. It is evident that the current trajectory is unsustainable, requiring significant changes in the beautiful game.

Refereeing remains under intense scrutiny. The tension is at an all-time high, and the need for solutions to this upheaval has never been more urgent.